Preface

Texas Children's Hospital Handbook of Pediatrics and Neonatology is unlike any other pediatrics pocket manual. It is compact and concise, yet it thoroughly addresses both neonatology and pediatrics. It is written specifically to serve as an actual point-of-care tool; clinical algorithms, figures, and tables are abundant, promising rapid access to the information needed at the bedside. There is a remarkable online component to this handbook, in which the reader can freely access additional topics, updates, and supplementary information. This text is compact enough to comfortably carry in a white coat pocket; in fact, key medications and dosages are cited in-text in lieu of a separate formulary section. In addition, a critical care rapid reference card is included—an invaluable resource that provides immediate access to critical information in emergencies.

Authored and reviewed by over 125 interns, residents, fellows, and faculty at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Texas, Texas Children's Hospital Handbook of Pediatrics and Neonatology collectively embodies the experiences and clinical pearls that are most helpful for students, trainees, and junior faculty. Distinguished faculty in virtually every pediatric discipline have authored and reviewed the content to ensure that this text refl ects the current clinical practice at our institution. The practice of medicine is often as much an art as it is a science, and in areas where robust evidence does not exist, the opinions and recommendations of our experts at Texas Children's Hospital are included. Many chapters and sections in this text are not found in other handbooks: eg, Clinical Pearls for the Wards; Neonatal and Pediatric Nutrition including "TPN in 10 Steps;" and Stabilization, Delivery Room Care, and Initial Treatment of the VLBW Infant, to name a few. You will find that Texas Children's Hospital Handbook of Pediatrics and Neonatology offers concise, evidence-based information in an easy-to-access format that is directly applicable to bedside care of the patient in both pediatrics and neonatology.

Although digital and electronic media have supplanted, in some cases, physical documents, handbooks, and texts, an effective pocket manual remains a crucial training tool, both as a repository for personal clinical experiences and as a point-of-care reference. We are certain that within this handbook you will find the most important and relevant information for the white-coat of the trainee in pediatrics and neonatology. Wherever possible, helpful resources, including internet addresses and literature references, have been included directly in the text.

Texas Children's Hospital Handbook of Pediatrics and Neonatology will continue to evolve; current updates, as well as a vast amount of additional content, are available at www.AccessPediatrics.com. We are confident that you will find this pocket manual invaluable as you learn the art and science of pediatrics and neonatology.

Adam W. Lowry
Kushal Y. Bhakta
Pratip K. Nag