The Macmillan Guide To Child Health

This is the most authoritative book on the care of children of all ages in sickness and in health, and will prove indispensable to all those who want to cope effectively with their children's health problems. Throughout, the positive practical approach encourages parents and caregivers to feel confident in their role.

Written by more than 40 paediatricians and specialists in clear, jargon-free language, the book gives parents direct access to all the latest information on child health from birth to adulthood.

Part one describes normal development - physical, psychological, intellectual and social-and discusses care of the healthy child. It includes advice on preventive health care, on the increasingly common problems of divorce and single-parent families, and on children's safety in the home.

Part two gives clear practical information on the care of the sick child and the handicapped child, at home and in hospital. It assesses the various forms of counselling available and the major alternative therapies.

Part three offers you clear guidelines for recognizing and dealing with health disorders, from common illnesses such as measles to severe diseases such as leukaemia.

The appendices give specific information on medical terms, drugs in common use, the education, social and health services and their responsibilities, and on local support groups. There is also an Index of symptoms that provides a quick-reference means of locating the discussion of any particular disease or disorder.

Emergency actions, a clearly-designed, colour-located section, sets out emergency procedures for parents in the event of a serious accident.

Over 500 illustrations in two colours, photographs and charts show clearly the effects and development of health problems and the step-by-step procedures by parents and doctors to deal with them.