Neonatology Questions and Controversies: Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, 4th Edition

By: Robin K. Ohls, MD; Akhil Maheshwari, MD; Robert D. Christensen, MD; Richard A. Polin, MD

ISBN: 9780323880763

Publication Date: October 30, 2023

Reviewer: Jay P. Goldsmith, MD (Tulane University School of Medicine)

Description

This is the 4th edition of this book, part of the Neonatology Questions series. The topics in this series change slightly with each edition as the previous edition of this volume, published in 2018, included genetics and immunology.

This present volume concentrates on hematology and transfusion medicine. As the title of the volume suggests, this book is not a general textbook on neonatal hematology, but a focused look at some of the controversial issues in this area of medicine.

Purpose

This volume seeks to update providers on challenging issues in neonatal hematology such as anemia, transfusions, leukocyte counts, jaundice, and thrombocytopenia. This is a worthy objective since these topics have been the subject of much research and controversy in the last decade. The print version and the online format both contribute to an outstanding presentation of each of the controversial subjects.

Audience

The book’s audience is all providers of neonatal care including attending physicians, trainees, and nurse practitioners. It will have special appeal to senior physicians who are looking for a more in-depth discussion of various hematology topics than those provided by standard texts. The editors and most of the contributors are well-known scholars in this field.

Features

The book is divided into two sections: hematology and transfusion medicine which encompass 15 chapters, each targeting a different and controversial topic in this field. Topics such as bilirubin, nucleated red blood cells, iron homeostasis, erythropoietin, and transfusion guidelines and stewardship are each discussed in separate chapters with the most up-to-date references and thoughts on specific issues. The book has excellent graphs and tables which complement the manuscript and are easy to understand.

Assessment

This book is an excellent update on the previous edition which emphasizes the most challenging areas in hematology and transfusion medicine. New chapters on transfusion guidelines, iron deficiency and hemostasis, and a new look at hyperbilirubinemia (which unfortunately does not include the latest AAP bilirubin guidelines from 2022), give unique insight into these issues. The chapter on nucleated red blood cells brings some understanding to a commonly misunderstood aspect of neonatal care. In sum, the book is an excellent update on the previous edition and should be a valuable resource to all neonatal providers.

©Doody’s Review Service, 2024, Jay P. Goldsmith, MD (Tulane University School of Medicine), Doody’s Score: 98 – 5 Stars!

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