Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine: Diseases of the Fetus and Infant

Abstract

Fetal and neonatal medicine advances so rapidly that a wholesale revision of Fanaroff and Martin's standard text after only four years is warranted and welcome. New topics include overviews of computer applications in perinatal medicine, bioethical considerations, and anesthesia for premature infants. Certain other areas have been extensively reorganized, updated, and expanded—especially those dealing with central nervous system disturbances and their sequelae; estimation of fetal health; perinatal (it was<i>ante</i>natal in the third edition) ultrasound; and nutrition and fluid, electrolyte, and acidbase homeostasis. The fresh perspectives of many new contributors enliven and enrich this new edition. The editors called on authors to place equal emphasis on basic and clinical sciences. The excellent chapter "Obstetric Management of Prematurity" is an example of the value of this approach. Most presentations provide adequate background information yet tilt steeply toward diagnosis, management, and prevention. This balance is usually sufficient to orient the neophyte,