Introduction

INTRODUCTION

The Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health: Infancy Through Adolescence (GECH) is a one-stop source for medical information that covers common and rare diseases and medical conditions, immunizations and drugs, procedures, and developmental issues. It particularly addresses parents' concerns about their children's health from before birth through age 18. The book avoids medical jargon, making it easier for the layperson to use. The Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health presents authoritative, balanced information and is more comprehensive than single-volume family medical guides.

SCOPE

Approximately 600 full-length articles are included in The Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health. Articles follow a standardized format that provides information at a glance. Rubrics include:

Diseases/Disorders

• Definition
• Description
• Demographics
• Causes and symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Prognosis
• Prevention
• Parental concerns
• Resources
• Key terms

Procedures

• Definition
• Purpose
• Description
• Risks
• Normal results
• Parental concerns
• Resources
• Key terms

Immunizations/Drugs

• Definition
• Description
• General use
• Precautions
• Side effects
• Interactions
• Parental concerns
• Resources
• Key terms

Development

• Definition
• Description
• Common problems
• Parental concerns
• Resources
• Key terms

A preliminary list of diseases, conditions, procedures, drugs, and developmental issues was compiled from a wide variety of sources, including professional medical guides and textbooks, as well as consumer guides and encyclopedias. The advisory board, composed of seven doctors with specialties in pediatric medicine, evaluated the topics and made suggestions for inclusion. Final selection of topics to include was made by the medical advisors in conjunction with Thomson Gale editors.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

A preliminary list of diseases, conditions, procedures, drugs, and developmental issues was compiled from a wide variety of sources, including professional medical guides and textbooks, as well as consumer guides and encyclopedias. The advisory board, composed of seven doctors with specialties in pediatric medicine, evaluated the topics and made suggestions for inclusion. Final selection of topics to include was made by the medical advisors in conjunction with Thomson Gale editors.

ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTORS

The essays were compiled by experienced medical writers, including healthcare practitioners and educators, pharmacists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. GECH medical advisors reviewed all of the completed essays to insure that they are appropriate, up-to-date, and medically accurate.

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

The Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health has been designed with ready reference in mind:

• Straight alphabetical arrangement allows users to locate information quickly.
• Bold faced terms function as print hyperlinks that point the reader to related entries in the encyclopedia.
• A list of key terms is provided where appropriate to define unfamiliar words or concepts used within the context of the essay. Additional terms may be found in the glossary.
• Cross-references placed throughout the encyclopedia direct readers to where information on subjects without their own entries can be found. Synonyms are also cross-referenced.
• A Resources section directs users to sources of further medical information.
• An appendix of updated growth charts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control for children from birth through age 20 is included.
• An appendix of common childhood medications is arranged alphabetically and includes descriptions of each drug and important information about their uses.
• A comprehensive general index allows users to easily target detailed aspects of any topic, including Latin names.

GRAPHICS

The Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health is enhanced with approximately 300 full-color images, including photos, tables, and customized line drawings.