The Newborn Lung: Neonatology Questions and Controversies, 3rd Edition

By Eduardo Bancalari, MD; Martin Keszler, MD; Peter G. Davis, MBBS, MD, FRACP; Richard A. Polin, MD

ISBN: 9780323546058

Pub Date: 24-Aug-18

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

Description

Part of a series of seven books entitled Neonatology Questions and Controversies, this one reviews lung development and injury and management of respiratory problems in the newborn. Some chapters actually focus on pressing controversies in the management of neonates requiring respiratory support while others are excellent reviews of neonatal pulmonary issues with updated information from the second edition, published in 2012.

Purpose

According to the series editor, Dr. Richard Polin, the series was developed to “highlight clinical problems of most concern to practitioners.” This is a worthy objective and for the most part the book meets this goal, although not always in the format of questions and controversies. The website is excellent and augments the book with excellent graphics.

Audience

The intended audience is experienced neonatal providers who are searching for discussions of the pressing problems in the field. Such issues as the use of CPAP, high flow nasal cannula, or traditional ventilation through an endotracheal tube are discussed with the use of the most recent Cochrane reviews and published literature. The authors and contributors are some of the most recognized authorities in the world.

Features

The book is divided into two sections, on lung development and injury and management of respiratory problems, with a total of 22 chapters. The best chapters are those that follow the questions and controversies format. Much of the information in the other review chapters is available in other standard books. I would have liked it if all the chapters in the clinical management section used the questions and controversies format. For example, even in the resuscitation chapter, there are questions for practitioners that could be highlighted. There are sufficient tables and graphics, but no color.

Assessment

This is an excellent update of the previous edition with a number of new authors and updated references. It is not a complete book on neonatal pulmonary medicine, although the lung development section is one of the best in the neonatal literature. The comparable books on management are more comprehensive, especially on equipment utilization, but the unique questions and controversies format makes this a must have for anyone managing neonates in the need of respiratory support.

Doody’s Review Service Weighted Numerical Score: 95 – 4 Stars!