Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 18, No. 2, 206 (1999)
Published by the American College of Nutrition
Handbook of Nutrition and the Kidney, 3rd edition
Wayne R. Bidlack, PhD, FACN
Dean, College of Agriculture
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Handbook of Nutrition and the Kidney, 3rd edition, by William E. Mitch and Saulo Klahr. Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 392 pages, 1998, $39.95, paper.
The handbook is very well written, providing a needed resource on nutrition and the kidney. The third edition of the text is provided in 15 chapters, each of which has been revised and updated. The figures and tables are of exceptional quality, supporting major points provided in the text, and are useful for quick referral. The consistency within the chapters is impressive as is the continuity between chapters. The references for the new edition were updated through 1997 and into 1998.
"The role of nutrition in treating patients with kidney disease cannot be underestimated." The requirements for protein, minerals and other nutrients change significantly during development and advancement of renal disease and eventual renal failure. The critical topics are written by nutrition experts, dietitians and nephrologists having strong academic backgrounds as well as hands-on clinical experience. In brief, the content of the text includes all of the areas of nutrition and renal management that would be expected in a reference text.
The chapter topics include a discussion of general nutritional needs for adults, the effects of renal insufficiency on nutrient metabolism and endocrine function, assessment of nutritional status, the integral metabolism of calcium, phosphorous and vitamin D, management of lipid abnormalities, and requirements for protein, calories and fat in the predialysis patient. Discussions include nutritional requirements of diabetic patients with nephropathy. Also discussed is the use of nutritional support in acute renal failure, in hemodialysis patients, during peridontal dialysis and during renal transplant. The concluding chapter describes approaches to successful use of nutritional intervention in the treatment of renal disease.
The only limitation is the decision to publish the reference as a pocket-size book, causing the print to be compressed. Although small, the printed text was easy to read. The use of the handbook by interns, residents, dietitians and nurses may justify this form, if indeed they will carry it in their clinical coat pockets; however, the quality of the material presented assures the use of the handbook as a desk reference by physicians and researchers. In addition, the price provides an opportunity to use the book as a classroom text as well. Everyone working or teaching in the area of renal medicine and patient care should have a copy of this handbook.
Received July 1, 1998.
