This study examined the classification of suicide in children & young adolescents. The hypothesis that accidents might be classified wrongly as suicides, especially in the very young, was tested. Information was gathered from Norwegian registries about all suicides in people under 20 years of age during the period 1990-1992. The cases were reclassified as certain, uncertain or improbable suicide. Uncertain or improbable suicides were significantly more common in the very young. The role of risk factors is discussed & clinical case studies are presented. (17 refs)