The British Paediatric Surveillance Unit: the first 20 years.

The article discusses the development of the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit (BPSU) and the impact of its studies on the global pediatric medical epidemiology. It is stated that BPSU has provided a mechanism to respond to acute public health events in children and has emerged from its small base to become a major contributor to pediatric medical epidemiology across the world. Moreover, the services offered by the unit were made possible through the collaboration of the British and Irish pediatricians, for the betterment of child health across the whole of the British Isles. Information related to the unit's history and achievements is elaborated.