The clinical specialty of adult nephrology has enjoyed spectacular growth during the past three decades. Such a statement is no less true for pediatric nephrology. This book stands in quiet testimony to that fact. Practitioners of pediatric nephrology are now concerned with the diagnosis and treat ment of young patients with a widened spectrum of primary and sec ondary diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract, hypertension and disorders of water, electrolyte and acid-base metabolism. Their science, deriving from an exciting blend of physiology, morphology, pathology, immunology, biochemistry, microbiology, genetics and pharmacology, must also include an understanding of human developmental biology an insight that colleagues who practice adult nephrology require to a somewhat lesser extent. Dramatic, continuing advances in our understanding of the pathogen esis, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases has led to a cascade of books and monographs on various aspects of the subject. Nevertheless, in view of the clear emergence of pediatric nephrology as a distinct medical specialty, it is most appropriate that a practical book, which focuses almost exclusively on approaches to the evaluation and diagnosis of young patients with kidney disease and related disorders, should appear. In that sense this book is unique. It provides an easily accessible, practical compendium or guide to the clinical investigation of all facets of kidney disease in children. Its special and unique emphasis is directed toward various approaches to the evaluation of such patients and the interpretation of associated laboratory or radiographical data.
