Article Types

Article Types

Select the single best-fitting article type when you submit. Use the reporting guideline or checklist that matches the study design where applicable. Where no fixed limit is stated below, the journal does not impose a strict word, reference, or figure limit at initial submission, but manuscripts should remain concise and proportionate.

Original Research

For original research relevant to clinical pediatrics, child health, or pediatric medical education and training.

  • Submission route: Unsolicited

  • Peer review: Double-anonymous

  • Abstract: Structured

  • Main text: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion

  • Reporting guideline: Use the guideline appropriate to the study design

Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses

For evidence syntheses relevant to the journal’s scope.

  • Submission route: Unsolicited

  • Peer review: Single-anonymous

  • Abstract: Structured

  • Main text: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion

  • Reporting guideline: PRISMA

  • Special requirement: Prospective registration in a public registry is strongly expected, preferably PROSPERO where eligible; if not registered, authors must explain why.

Narrative Reviews

For broad or focused narrative overviews relevant to the journal’s scope.

  • Submission route: Commissioned or invited

  • Peer review: Single-anonymous

  • Abstract: Unstructured

  • Main text: Flexible

  • Note: Invitation or commission does not guarantee acceptance

Brief Reports

For concise original research or narrowly focused analyses.

  • Submission route: Unsolicited

  • Peer review: Double-anonymous

  • Abstract: Structured

  • Main text: Concise Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion

  • Limits: Up to 1,500 words, 20 references, and 3 tables/figures combined

Case Reports and Case Series

For cases of clear clinical, educational, or service relevance.

  • Submission route: Unsolicited

  • Peer review: Single-anonymous

  • Abstract: Unstructured

  • Main text: Introduction, Case Presentation or Case Series, Discussion

  • Reporting guideline: CARE where appropriate

  • Special requirement: Any required patient consent must be obtained

Medical Education Papers

For studies or reports on pediatric training, curriculum, assessment, workforce development, or capacity building.

  • Submission route: Unsolicited

  • Peer review: Double-anonymous

  • Abstract: Structured for research studies; unstructured for descriptive reports

  • Main text: IMRaD for research studies; clear topic-based headings for non-research reports

  • Reporting guideline: Use the guideline appropriate to the study design

Viewpoints

For evidence-informed perspectives, arguments, or reflections relevant to the journal’s scope.

  • Submission route: Invited or unsolicited

  • Peer review: Editorial assessment and peer review as appropriate

  • Abstract: No abstract

  • Main text: Flexible

Clinical Handles

For tightly focused mini-reviews built around a a specific clinical clue, symptom, sign, or investigation that helps narrow the diagnosis in a resource-limited setting.

  • Submission route: Commissioned/invited or unsolicited

  • Peer review: Single-anonymous

  • Abstract: Unstructured

  • Limits: Up to 1,500 words, 20 references, and 3 tables/figures/boxes combined

Pediatric Science Simplified

For concise, practice-oriented mini-reviews explaining pediatric basic science for clinicians.

  • Submission route: Commissioned or invited

  • Peer review: Single-anonymous

  • Abstract: Unstructured

  • Limits: Up to 2,000 words, 20 references, and 3 tables/figures/boxes combined

Guideline Mini Review

For concise, practice-oriented mini-reviews that summarize and contextualize a specific guideline for resource-constrained settings.

  • Submission route: Commissioned or invited

  • Peer review: Single-anonymous

  • Abstract: Unstructured

  • Limits: Up to 2,000 words, 20 references, and 3 tables/figures/boxes combined

Acute and Critical Care Mini Review

For narrowly focused mini-reviews on a specific practical issue in pediatric emergency or critical care in resource-constrained settings.

  • Submission route: Commissioned or invited

  • Peer review: Single-anonymous

  • Abstract: Unstructured

  • Limits: Up to 1,800 words, 20 references, and 3 tables/figures/boxes combined

Editorials

Editorials are invited only and are not standard unsolicited submissions.

Letters to the Editor/Correspondence

Brief letters commenting on material published in the journal, or concise evidence-informed observations, clarifications, or perspectives relevant to the journal’s scope.

  • Submission route: Unsolicited.

  • Peer review: Editorial assessment; external peer review may be used at editorial discretion. Authors of the article concerned may be invited to respond where relevant.

  • Abstract: No abstract.

  • Main text structure: Flexible; brief letter format.

  • Word limit: Up to 750 words.

  • Reference limit: Up to 10.

  • Tables/figures: Usually none; up to 1 if clearly justified.

  • Special requirements: Letters should be concise, focused, and respectful. Where a letter comments on a published article, it should identify the article clearly.

 

Practical Note

If your manuscript will undergo double-anonymous peer review—that is, Original Research, Brief Reports, or Medical Education Papers—you must prepare the main manuscript as a blinded file for review. A separate non-blinded manuscript file is not required.

For full article-type requirements, see the journal’s Instructions for Authors.