In this book we discuss how children grow, how to measure this and how to decide whether development falls within normal parameters. It is important not to over-investigate, but, if necessary, which tests and imaging should we choose? We consider how best to look after our patients in hospital, out-patients departments and at home. This leads us to consider problems with the norm, including the more generalised bone and cartilage disorders, most now genetically determined. The section concludes with chapters on infection, arthritis and that most emotive of topics, the tumours of childhood.

The newborn child's immature nervous system makes early diagnosis of some neurological disorders difficult: it is often only the passage of time which clarifies the severity and pattern. Careful analysis of motor skills, vision, hearing and speech allows us to assess milestones. Progress from head control to sitting, standing and the maturation of gait should be orderly. Informed examination and the chapter on gait analysis highlight this development. Chapters in this book describe neural tube defects, the recognition and management of cerebral palsy and, lest we forget, poliomyelitis. The...

Having considered the more generalised neuromuscular and skeletal problems of childhood in the previous two books, we concentrate in this book on regional disorders. The upper limb chapters describe foetal development and how this may go wrong. As always, function dominates our management plans although cosmetic considerations must be borne in mind. Perinatal brachial plexus injury is analysed and a plea made for early recognition and reconstruction of both plexus lesions and peripheral nerve injuries. The lower limb chapters consider limb deficiency and deformity and how best we should...