PREFACE

 

    The aim of Pediatric Endocrinology: A Practical Clinical Guide is to provide practicaldetailed and concise guidelines for the clinical management of pediatric endocrine diseasesand disorders. The audience is thus all those pediatric endocrinologists, pediatricians,and primary care physicians who provide medical care for children and adolescents.The scope of the text includes the most common and the most challenging diseases anddisorders seen by both primary care physicians and pediatric endocrinologists. We haveencouraged the involvement of a junior coauthor for many articles to give recognition toour young investigators in the field. We believe we have assembled a state-of-the-artbook on the “how to’s” of pediatric endocrinology.

 

    Although the main focus is on diagnosis and treatment, each author has included a briefdiscussion on pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms. The chapters are preparedin such a way that there is a consistency of organization. After the introductory discussionof the problem with background information, there is a brief overview of recent progresson the mechanism involved. The clinical features that characterize each condition arediscussed. Criteria used to establish a diagnosis are delineated. The therapy section isthe most comprehensive and reviews the options available and the risks and benefits ofeach approach. Outcome data are included as well as information on the long-term safetyand efficacy of the treatment modality. Where relevant, psychosocial and quality-of-lifeissues are discussed.

 

    Sally Radovick, MD

 

    Margaret H. MacGillivray, MD