Pediatrics has grown and developed with significant milestones in preventive and therapeutic care over the past few decades. The WHO and UNICEF in their Primary Health Care (PHC) approach, have given the due place for effective child survival programs. So much so the undergraduate medical student needs to be well oriented towards these approaches in Pediatrics as the future middle level manager in Primary Health Care.

Several luminaries in the Indian pediatric scenario, have contributed their mite in bringing out books for the undergraduate medical students. However, the rapid advances made in the various pediatric subspecialities have necessitated the updating of these books from time to time. Nevertheless the need for a full fledged texbook was felt for long. The Indian Academy of Pediatrics thought it fit, to shoulder the responsibility of bringing out such a need based textbook in Pediatrics for undergraduate medical students. Our erudite and enthusiastic section editors and contributors made it possible at a record time. The Academy owes it gratitude to all these experts for their worthy contribution.

The book has been divided into several parts. A few chapters included in this book are entirely newer concepts which are not usually found in the conventional undergraduate textbooks. It has also worthy annexures to the main contents. However, editing the text to suit the undergraduate needs was a Himalayan task. The idea is to equip the undergraduate medical student with adequate knowledge in Pediatrics in order to make him confident to shoulder the responsibilities concerned with preventive and curative Pediatrics. Thus, it is hoped that the practitioner of pediatric medicine will benefit from this book.

We are confident that this book will serve the undergraduate needs especially at a time when the Medical Council of India has made Pediatrics as a major examination subject. Thus, the publication of the book is not only timely but also out of necessity.

The book has received tremendous welcome among the Paediatricians and students needing a reprint order of 5000 copies. Now, the 2nd edition is under process and is likely to come out by November 2000.