Book excerpt: Structured to be a companion to the recently published Handbook of Transfusion Medicine, the Handbook of Pediatric Transfusion Medicine is dedicated to pediatric hematology-oncology and transfusion medicine, a field which remains ambiguous and which has generated few comprehensive texts. This book stands alone as one of the few texts that addresses transfusion issues specific to pediatric medicine. Written in an eminently readable style, this authoritative handbook is a requirement for any pediatric physician or caregiver. - Neonatal and fetal immune response and in utero development issues - Blood compatability and pre-transfusion testing issues specific to pediatric and neonatal transfusion - Therapeutic apheresis including red blood cell exchange and prophylactic chronic erythrocytapheresis for sickle cell patients - Also includes a section that concentrates on the consent, quality and legal issues of blood transfusion and donation