Fuhrman and Zimmerman’s Pediatric Critical Care, 5th Edition

By Bradley P. Fuhrman, MD, FCCM and Jerry J. Zimmerman, MD, PhD, FCCM

ISBN: 978-0-323-37839-0

Pub Date: 12/8/2016

Reviewed by: David J. Dries, MD (University of Minnesota Medical School)

Description

This is the fifth edition of a comprehensive book on the biology and management of critical illness in the child. It was first published in 1992, and the previous edition came out in 2011. This edition includes access to an online version with additional resources.

Purpose

The purpose is to present the multidisciplinary care of the child, with an emphasis on the unique biology of children.

Audience

Residents, fellows, and providers of critical care services to children will benefit from this work, which originates from an international group of authors, with an emphasis on North American pediatric critical care programs. Intensivists who only occasionally see children will appreciate the additional background detail the book provides.

Features

This attractive book opens with a group of chapters describing the history and scope of pediatric critical care medicine. Among the topics are ethical issues, palliative care, development of the discipline, and outcome prediction. Subsequent groups of chapters discuss organ system dysfunction, beginning with cardiopulmonary critical care followed by diseases of the central nervous system, renal disorders, metabolic management, and infectious diseases. Later presentations describe environmental hazards, including pediatric trauma and burns, hypothermia, and drowning. Summary chapters review special aspects of pharmacology pertinent to children and anesthesia care based largely on airway and medication management. Chapters are clearly written and open with a short list of pearls. Texture of type and color headings highlight specific topics. Multicolor line drawings, photographs, and x-ray images are effectively used and reproduce with good quality. Each chapter contains a reference list with citations dating to within two to three years of publication. Some chapters provide the entire reference list while other chapters have only key references, with other reference material available online. The table of contents groups chapters by topic while a detailed subject index includes separate identification of tables, figures and boxes.

Assessment

Now in its fifth edition, this book remains a leading resource for providers at all levels. It reviews both complex pathophysiology and treatment strategies effectively. The accompanying ebook allows separate review of the text, figures, and references.

Doody’s Review Service Weighted Numerical Score: 90 – 4 Stars!