A Joint Working Party on Child Health Surveillance, composed of representatives from the British Paediatric Association, the Health Visitors' Association, the General Medical Service Committee of the BMA, the Royal College of Nursing, and the Royal College of General Practitioners, set out to determine what procedures should be included in a programme of child health surveillance. The conclusions were published in the first edition of this text, in the form of a report based on both a detailed study of an extensive literature and on consultations with experts in various fields. A programme of child health surveillance was proposed which can detect developmental problems and defects in the most efficient way while at the same time placing increased emphasis on the role of such activities as accident prevention, health education and developmental guidance. This second edition summarizes the findings of a further joint working party, set up to look at the suggestions reported in the first edition. This edition has recommendations for the provision and monitoring of screening at the district level and on the role of doctors and health visitors. There are minor amendments to the original programme set out in the first edition. Each chapter has been updated with summaries of new research findings, and there is further information on the use of parent-held records.