Book Review: Fundamentals of Naturopathic Pediatrics
Stacie Deyglio, ND
Fundamentals of Naturopathic Pediatrics
In his first book, Dr. Skowron assembles a full course in Naturopathic Pediatrics that spans from naturopathic principles to clinical practice, including the most current scientific research as the keystone for the text. Pediatrics is a growing specialty within the naturopathic medical spectrum. Many prevalent children’s illnesses, such as asthma, autism, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and ADHD yield conclusive and successful responses to naturopathic treatments. This text is essential for those invested in learning how to diagnose and treat pediatric conditions using scientifically-verified naturopathic treatments and remedies.
The contents of the book are aptly sectioned into two essential parts. The first part covers Naturopathic Pediatric Basics, which includes an overview of the principles, a full and complete clinical assessment, and concludes with pediatric therapies. The clinical assessment is most worthy as it includes a readily usable pediatric history chart providing a guide for clinical reasoning in daily practice. The section on therapies includes essential information for providing such therapies as clinical nutrition, homeopathics and detoxification.
The second part covers pediatric conditions. This section of the text is subdivided by organ systems and includes information in detail on the cardiovascular, dermatological, EENT, endocrine, exanthem, GI, genitourinary, musculoskeletal, neurological, and pulmonary systems. The specific conditions covered are common chief complaints. Such examples include asthma, pharyngitis, and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
The book also features a section devoted to case-based questions. The reader will find 14 sample cases with 70 questions written in a similar approach as the NPLEX Part II exam.
Dr. Skowron best represents the naturopathic principle of the healing power of nature, or Vis Medicatrix Naturae, “honor our children’s right to grow and enable them to fight for themselves in order to become their best. Children who learn how to live in harmony with the healing power of nature will pass that principle of living onto their children and their children’s children” (pg. 12).
Stacie Deyglio, ND received her baccalaureate degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from the College of Mt. St. Vincent in New York. Her personal health issues paved the way to discovering naturopathic medicine in 1999. Resonating with the philosophy and principles of naturopathic medicine, Dr. Deyglio graduated from the University of Bridgeport, College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2003. As a medical student, she was involved in student government, fundraising and the generation of two successful student-run health fairs. Dr. Deyglio’s interests include relating integrative therapeutics to the health of pediatric and geriatric populations. Currently residing in Phoenix, Dr. Deyglio is an avid bookworm, and is actively creating her practice.
