A theoretical model for the prediction of droplet breakup rate and daughter size distribution in turbulent dispersions has been developed. It considers the breakup contributed by a novel breakup criterion based on surface energy density increase, the droplet surface oscillation from previous collision and the eddies larger than original droplets. The breakup rate and daughter size distribution predicted by this model show a good agreement with the experimental data reported recently. (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.