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Mineral metabolism in paediatrics
THE
BOOK
SHELF
L. EmmettHolt, Jr.,Editor
Book reviews
Mineral metabolism in p a e d i a t r i c s E d i t e d b y D o n a l d B a r l t r o p a n d W. L. Burland, P h i l a d e l p h i a , 1969, F. A. Davis C o m p a n y , 186 pages. $10.00. This little book is the result of a conference held in 1967 and is limited in scope. While all the minerals are mentioned, the amount of space given to each is related more to the interest of the authors than to the importance of the mineral in human nutrition. Approxirnately half the book is devoted to calcium metabolism. Diseases of calcium deficiency are discussed briefly, and some of the mechanisms are outlined. Brief mention is made of the newer understanding of vitamin D metabolites and of calcitonin. The second half of the book is devoted to all the other minerals. The discussion of zinc deficiency in malnourished children helps clarify the nature and clinical manifestations of zinc deficiency. Interesting possibilities of selenium antagonism to cadmium toxicity are raised. New data are presented on lead transfer across the placenta. While the subjects covered differ markedly in depth, the book adds some useful information to those interested in some of the metals in human nutrition--an expanding field.
Lewis A. Barness Department o/Pediatrics Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania 3400 Spruce St. Philadelphia, Pa. 19104
Human g r o w t h a n d d e v e l o p m e n t R o b e r t W. M c C a m m o n , M.D., Springfield, Ill., 1970, Charles C T h o m a s , Publisher, 295 pages. $9.00. This volume comes from the Colorado Child Health Research Council, now directed by Dr. Robert W. McCammon, the able successor of
Dr. Alfred Hamlin Washburn. It includes extensive anthropometric observations on 334 middle class Colorado children who were followed at intervals from birth to maturity over a period of about 40 years. Measurements were obtained largely by roentgenograms, although skin fold data were also included. Other aspects of growth followed were: vital signs, blood pressure, growth of organs, such as blood cells and heart volume, and blood chemistry. These statistics form an extraordinary collection which obviously involves a well-drilled and efficient team. The data are well organized and tabulated. They enable the physician to compare a particular patient with the Colorado average. If the patient's growth is retarded but proceeding at a normal rate, it is an indication that this velocity will continue. A feature of this study is the inclusion of data on the nutritional intake of the Colorado subjects. The data on food intake were not directly analyzed but were obtained from published tables. One can imagine that such information can be valuable in answering a number of questions regarding the factors that influence growth. For example, if one were to find that the Colorado children on a given diet developed longer femurs than some other group, then a correlation between femur length and diet might be established. Information is sorely needed on the variabIes which may influence growth. Variables such as caloric intake, the optimum proportions of nutrients one to another, and work performance might all influence growth data. In glancing through the tabulated material, this reviewer hoped to discover interesting correlations but must confess to a certain disappointment. The section by Virginia A. Lee on serum cholesterol and certain of its esters is a case in point. We find a steady rise in blood cholesterol and esters all the way from birth to maturity, but there is no evidence of correlation between cholesterol and its compounds and the various phenomena of growth studied. In the future, it may be possible to design studies that might serve to produce valuable
Vol. 78, No. 2, pp. 359-364
BOOK
SHELF
L. EmmettHolt, Jr.,Editor
Book reviews
Mineral metabolism in p a e d i a t r i c s E d i t e d b y D o n a l d B a r l t r o p a n d W. L. Burland, P h i l a d e l p h i a , 1969, F. A. Davis C o m p a n y , 186 pages. $10.00. This little book is the result of a conference held in 1967 and is limited in scope. While all the minerals are mentioned, the amount of space given to each is related more to the interest of the authors than to the importance of the mineral in human nutrition. Approxirnately half the book is devoted to calcium metabolism. Diseases of calcium deficiency are discussed briefly, and some of the mechanisms are outlined. Brief mention is made of the newer understanding of vitamin D metabolites and of calcitonin. The second half of the book is devoted to all the other minerals. The discussion of zinc deficiency in malnourished children helps clarify the nature and clinical manifestations of zinc deficiency. Interesting possibilities of selenium antagonism to cadmium toxicity are raised. New data are presented on lead transfer across the placenta. While the subjects covered differ markedly in depth, the book adds some useful information to those interested in some of the metals in human nutrition--an expanding field.
Lewis A. Barness Department o/Pediatrics Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania 3400 Spruce St. Philadelphia, Pa. 19104
Human g r o w t h a n d d e v e l o p m e n t R o b e r t W. M c C a m m o n , M.D., Springfield, Ill., 1970, Charles C T h o m a s , Publisher, 295 pages. $9.00. This volume comes from the Colorado Child Health Research Council, now directed by Dr. Robert W. McCammon, the able successor of
Dr. Alfred Hamlin Washburn. It includes extensive anthropometric observations on 334 middle class Colorado children who were followed at intervals from birth to maturity over a period of about 40 years. Measurements were obtained largely by roentgenograms, although skin fold data were also included. Other aspects of growth followed were: vital signs, blood pressure, growth of organs, such as blood cells and heart volume, and blood chemistry. These statistics form an extraordinary collection which obviously involves a well-drilled and efficient team. The data are well organized and tabulated. They enable the physician to compare a particular patient with the Colorado average. If the patient's growth is retarded but proceeding at a normal rate, it is an indication that this velocity will continue. A feature of this study is the inclusion of data on the nutritional intake of the Colorado subjects. The data on food intake were not directly analyzed but were obtained from published tables. One can imagine that such information can be valuable in answering a number of questions regarding the factors that influence growth. For example, if one were to find that the Colorado children on a given diet developed longer femurs than some other group, then a correlation between femur length and diet might be established. Information is sorely needed on the variabIes which may influence growth. Variables such as caloric intake, the optimum proportions of nutrients one to another, and work performance might all influence growth data. In glancing through the tabulated material, this reviewer hoped to discover interesting correlations but must confess to a certain disappointment. The section by Virginia A. Lee on serum cholesterol and certain of its esters is a case in point. We find a steady rise in blood cholesterol and esters all the way from birth to maturity, but there is no evidence of correlation between cholesterol and its compounds and the various phenomena of growth studied. In the future, it may be possible to design studies that might serve to produce valuable
Vol. 78, No. 2, pp. 359-364