Publications
APS Bulletin • Volume 14, Number 1, 2004
Resource Reviews
John D. Loeser, MD, Department Editor
Pediatric Pain: Biological and Social Context
Reviewed by John D. Loeser, MD
Patrick J. McGrath and G. Allen Finley (Eds). Progress in Pain Research and Management, Volume 26. IASP Press, Seattle, 2003, 225 pages, $76.00, IASP members $57.00 (hard cover), ISBN 0-931092-49-3, order online at www.painbooks.org or phone 206/547-6409.
This book is derived from the Fourth International Symposium on Pediatric Pain held in Nova Scotia in September 2002. There are nine chapters that cover the spectrum, from rodent studies on the effects of pain on development of the immature nervous system, to data on narcotics consumption in worldwide countries as reported to the International Narcotics Control Board. The only common thread is the focus on children, although this is a long stretch from the beginning to the last two chapters on hospital accreditation and narcotic consumption. In between are interesting reviews of pain and behavior in children, the developing field of the genetics of pain, the roles of family and individual development, chronic illness and pain in children, and the roles of culture and ethnicity. Each chapter does a nice job summarizing its subject area. The book is nicely made and has a good index.
These symposia volumes, which have been the mainstay of IASP Press publications, are valuable when reviewing an area in depth, making it easier to start one’s readings in specific areas. They rarely feature new materials, and sometimes they duplicate materials readily available in other publications. It often is not clear for whom the books are intended; they seem to be more for the authors than readers. Papers prepared for a symposium often have no linkages, and there are gaps in a field that may not be covered. Nevertheless, those interested in pediatric pain will find this a useful volume.
Dr. Loeser is professor of neurological surgery and anesthesiology at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Reviewer content represents the opinion of the reviewer, not APS.
Please direct your suggestions for future Resource Reviews to John D. Loeser, MD, Department Editor, at jdloeser@u.washington.edu.