Preface [to: Practical Pediatric Dermatology: Controversies in Diagnosis and Treatment]

markdownabstractPediatric dermatology is a young field that combines dermatologic and pediatric skills and expertises. Knowledge of dermatology and pediatrics is necessary for optimal care of children with skin diseases. A multidisciplinary approach in which there is cooperation between dermatologists and pediatricians is essential and makes that 1 + 1 (dermatologist + pediatrician) equals 2 but is actually more than 2. This has always been the slogan of our Dutch courses in pediatric dermatology that were organized for more than 20 years. Pediatric dermatology is officially started as a subspeciality in many countries and recognized as a terminology beginning in 1972 in Mexico. The number of pediatric dermatologists started small and has been growing quickly in the last several decades. Pediatric dermatology was earlier called dermatology of the child. Since the 1980s, developments have been impressive with several specific pediatric dermatology textbooks, as well as world, European, regional, and national congresses. The interest in this field has grown, and pediatric dermatology is now an integral part of most dermatological and pediatric meetings. The (US) American Board of Medical Specialties, which oversees all medical specialties, has demanded that specific pediatric dermatology teaching criteria be included in the training of all US trained general dermatologists. In this book, subjects were chosen based on practical controversial problems in pediatric dermatology, so the content is not structured after basic classification or subgrouping of dermatological disorders but according to controversies in diagnosis and treatment of childhood dermatological disorders. It will help the authors and readers to think about and evaluate pediatric dermatology dilemmas. In this way it will help you to perform a critical and well-balanced and most evidence-based diagnosis, approach, and treatment of the disease involved.