The new BPA classification.

The principle diagnostic classification in use throughout the world is the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Health Related Problems (ICD), produced by the World Health Organisation (WHO).Recognising that earlier revisions of the ICD did not meet the requirements of paediatricians, the British Paediatric Association (BPA) produced a supplement to ICD.This combined more detailed subdivision of diagnostic categories of interest to paediatricians with the elimination of diagnoses not commonly encountered in children.It was first available in 1962, known initially as the 'Cardiff classification'.The most recent extensive revision was published in 1979.In 1990, with a new revision of ICD in pro- duction (ICD-10), the International Paediatric Association requested that the BPA produce a paediatric adaptation of this.A project was, therefore, established to produce a new paedi- atric diagnostic classification for the 1990s and beyond.