This handbook is designed to help the reader understand and manage any condition affecting the kidney in childhood. It is pocket-sized to give easy reference in the clinical setting and uses a system of bullets to highlight the important issues. It is divided into parts which offer advice to the general paediatrician on:

· history taking and examination, urinalysis and radiological investigations;
· the management of acute emergencies such as fluid, electrolyte and acid-base imbalances and acute renal failure;
· renal problems in the neonate;
· common childhood conditions such as enuresis, abnormalities of the external genitalia, urinary tract infection, antenatal diagnosis of renal abnormalities and other urological abnormalities;
· less common conditions such as hypertension, nephrotic syndrome, acute nephritis, renal calculi, cysts, tumours, tubular disorders, infections, chronic renal failure and inherited and systemic diseases affecting the kidney such as vasculitis and SLE.