The contribution of the two new authors (AP and CD has enabled us to review the key areas of knowledge which wc felt should be included in this book. We have also reviewed the list of topics in the light of the syllabus for general professional and higher specialist training which has been produced recently by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH). As a result, some new topics have been added (e.g. Adolescent health, Orthopaedic problems in childhood, Inflammatory bowel disease) and there are more community-orientated topic titles (e.g. Disability. Learning disability, Accidents). We have combined topics from the first edition which more logically go together; for example, blistering conditions and childhood exanthemata are now included in one topic entitled Rashes and blisters; birth injuries, congenital dislocation of the hip, talipes and naevi are included in the Newborn examination topic.