Congenital Disorders Sourcebook

From The Critics

Reviewer: Jay P. Goldsmith, MD(Tulane University School of Medicine)
Description: This book provides basic consumer health information about the most common types of nonhereditary birth defects and disorders related to prematurity and other birth complications. This edition has a new editor and replaces the first edition published in 1997.
Purpose: It is designed to provide basic medical information for patients, families, and the general public about common nonhereditary birth defects, injuries, complications, and prematurity. Potential causes, diagnostic tests, and treatment strategies for these maladies are described in lay terms. The purpose is to educate parents and families about these conditions and give them access to additional sources of information. These are worthy objectives and for the most part are met.
Audience: The book is written for prospective parents, parents, patients, families, and the general public. It is edited by a non-physician using medical sources with the help of a medical consultant and advisory board. The information is accurate and relatively current, although more up-to-date information for many topics may be obtained through the Internet.
Features: The first of the book's four sections covers prenatal concerns and the prevention of birth defects with strategies such as nutrition (folic acid to prevent spina bifida) and avoidance of harmful substances (smoking, alcohol). The second section deals with the problems and complications of prematurity and multiple births. Part 3 reviews structural abnormalities of the infant using a systems-based approach and covers birth defects and cerebral palsy. The last section provides a glossary of terms and a directory of help and support organizations for various problems. The book is easy to read and avoids medical jargon. New and experimental therapies such as hypothermia for perinatal asphyxia are discussed in understandable terms with both advantages and disadvantages noted. Controversial therapies such as hyperbaric oxygen for cerebral palsy and fetal surgery for congenital diaphragmatic hernia are given fair reviews. The book tries to be comprehensive, but cannot deal with all topics and makes only passing reference to eye and ear problems.
Assessment: This is an excellent readable reference aimed at the lay public for difficult to understand medical problems. It is fairly comprehensive, but because it deals with such a large group of topics, it is somewhat superficial. However, it is an excellent starting point for the interested parent or family member who may then be motivated to seek more information through a support organization or the Internet. The first edition was published 10 years ago and, given the tremendous advances in this field, this second edition is most welcome.