Out of School. Modern Perspectives in Truancy and School Refusal

Here is yet another contribution to the rapidly expanding literature on paediatric gastroenterology. This book is based on a postgraduate course held on 24-25 April 1978 in Manhasset, New York. As a result there are no fewer than 31 contributions. Inevitably this leads to unevenness of style and some topics, inflammatory bowel disease for example, are covered in 3 different chapters. The aim of the book is to focus on current concepts in pathophysiology and management of gastrointestinal and nutritional disorders commonly encountered in paediatrics. It is in 5 sections: hepatobiliary disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, intestinal absorption disorders, diarrhoeal disorders, and consequences of gastrointestinal disorders. As can be seen some topics overlap. Many of the review articles are valuable and comprehensivefor example, Alan Walker's chapter on 'Intestinal defences in health and disease', and 'Carbohydrate metabolism' by Fima Lifshitz. This book provides a thorough and up-to-date review of these topics and will provide a valuable source of information; as such it should be in the libraries of children's hospitals and hospitals with paediatric departments.