Private Worlds of Dying Children

This book consists of 376 colour plates illustrating histological findings in neo- natal deaths.The material presented is arranged according to organ system and each illustration is accompanied by a brief clinical description of the case and a discussion of the histological features.In some places the translators have added comments of their own.Most of the common conditions recognised in his- tology in the neonatal period are illustrated and a fair selection of rarities are included.The central nervous system is not very well covered: there are for instance no examples of ischaemic types of brain damage.The quality of the colour plates is variable and some are indistinct.Despite the authors' preface stating the importance of correlating clinical and macroscopic pathological findings with histology, the production of an atlas of this type implies that neonatal patho- logical diagnosis is primarily dependent on histology.In fact the ability to make accurate macroscopic observations at post-mortem examination, to assess gesta- tional age, the adequacy of growth, and those deviations from normal that call for further investigations, are far more important than knowing the characteristic histological features of particular conditions.There is only one opportunity to make the correct assessment macro- scopically, but the slides will be available for as long as required.An atlas such as this cannot teach a general pathologist or paediatrician much about neonatal pa- thology.It represents purely a collection of histological pictures to compare with slides of one's own cases.As such it may prove of some limited value.