Information for Authors

Article Outline

• General Policies and Guide for Authors
  • Conflict of Interest
  • Release to Media
  • Preparation of Manuscripts
    • Format
    • Potential Reviewers
    • Letter of Submission
    • Title Page
    • Abstract
    • Laboratory Values
    • Drug Nomenclature
    • References
    • Examples of references
  • For Journal articles
  • For books
  • For chapters in books
  • For web sites
    • Tables
    • Figure Legends
    • Illustrations
    • Illustrations in Electronic Format
    • Permissions
    • Abbreviations
  • Medical Progress
  • Invited Commentaries
  • Clinical and Laboratory Observations
  • Insights
  • Grand Rounds
  • Editorial Correspondence
  • Inquiries Regarding Decisions
  • AMSPDC Section
  • News Items
  • Books for Review
• Checklist

Editor

William F. Balistreri, MD

The Journal of Pediatrics

Children’s Hospital Medical Center

3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 3021

Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039

Alice Landwehr, Managing Editor

Phone: 513-636-7140; Fax: 513-636-7141

journal.pediatrics@cchmc.org

http://jpeds.edmgr.com

Publisher

Elsevier Inc.

620 Park Avenue South

New York, NY 10010-1710

Julio Espin, Issue Manager

212-633-3102

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General Policies and Guide for Authors 

The Journal of Pediatrics publishes Original Research Articles, Clinical and Laboratory Observations, reviews of Medical Progress in pediatrics and related fields, Grand Rounds and clinicopathologic conference (CPCs), Special Articles, Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs, Inc. (AMSPDC) commentaries, and Insights.

Papers are accepted for review with the stipulation that they are submitted solely to The Journal of Pediatrics. The Journal will not consider for review papers that have been published elsewhere, even if in another language, or papers that are being considered by another publication, or are in press. If a paper by the same author or authors contains any data that were previously published, are in press, or are under consideration by another publication, a reprint of the previous article or a copy of the other manuscript should be submitted to the Editor, with a justification or explanation by the authors of any potential overlap or duplication. If the Editor is made aware of such overlapping or duplicate papers that have not been disclosed by the authors, a written explanation will be requested. If, in the judgment of the Editor, the explanation is inadequate, an appropriate official of the primary author’s academic institution will be notified.

As a condition of authorship, all authors must be willing to take responsibility for the entire manuscript. Multi-authored manuscripts should have a declaration of each author’s contributions in the submission cover letter. All authors of a submitted manuscript must sign a form transferring copyright ownership of the manuscript to Elsevier. The form will be sent to the corresponding author when the Editors reach a decision that the manuscript may be potentially publishable.

All accepted papers are subject to editorial revision and shortening. Authors should avoid redundancy between sections of text and between illustrations and text. The Editors may recommend that appendices and tables containing extensive data be published in the electronic version of The Journal of Pediatrics only and referenced in a footnote in the print edition.

Research papers should include a statement that approval for human research was received from the appropriate board. Papers describing research involving human subjects should indicate that written informed consent was obtained from the parents or guardians of the children who served as subjects of the investigation and, when appropriate, from the subjects themselves. In the event that either the Editor or the reviewers question the propriety of the human investigation with respect to the risk to the subjects or to the means by which informed consent was obtained, The Journal of Pediatrics may request more detailed information about the safeguards employed and the procedures used to obtain informed consent. Copies of the minutes of the committees that reviewed and approved the research also may be requested. Authors should verify compliance with the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) prior to submission.

Conflict of Interest 

Authors should disclose on the title page of the paper any potential, perceived, or real conflict of interest, especially any financial arrangement (e.g., grants received, advisory board memberships, share holdings) with a company whose product is discussed in the manuscript. If the article is accepted for publication, the disclosure statement may be published.

Authors must describe the role of the study sponsor(s), if any, in 1) study design; 2) the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; 3) the writing of the report; and 4) the decision to submit the paper for publication. Authors should include statements even when the sponsor had no involvement in the above matters. Authors should also state who wrote the first draft of the manuscript and whether an honorarium, grant, or other form of payment was given to anyone to produce the manuscript.

Trade names of drugs and other products must not appear in the article title. The trade name may appear once in the abstract and once in the introduction or methods section; all other mention of the product must be in the form of the generic name (see Drug Nomenclature).

Release to Media 

It is a violation of the copyright agreement to disclose the findings of an accepted manuscript to the media or the public before publication in The Journal of Pediatrics. Information in the manuscript may be announced when it is published on The Journal web site.

Preparation of Manuscripts 

Manuscripts are to be submitted via Editorial Manager™, the electronic submission website at http://jpeds.edmgr.com. Authors should review carefully the Authors’ Tutorial for Editorial Manager™ at http://www.editorialmanager.com/jpeds/account/Authtutorial.pdf. Manuscripts must adhere to the standard layout and length guidelines.

If electronic submission is not possible please contact Mrs. Alice Landwehr, Managing Editor, The Journal of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 3021, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039. Phone: 513-636-7140; Fax: 513-636-7141, journal.pediatrics@cchmc.org.

Original articles should not exceed 6 published pages; do not exceed 18 manuscript pages, including the title page, references, and tables. Figures are calculated at 3 per printed page. Failure to comply with length restrictions may result in a delay in the processing of your paper.

To assist with a prompt, fair review process, authors should provide in the submission letter the names, complete addresses, fax numbers, and e-mail addresses of 5 to 7 potential reviewers with the appropriate expertise to evaluate the manuscript. Failure to provide 5 to 7 potential reviewers may result in delays in the processing of your paper.

A Letter of Submission must accompany the paper and provide the following information in accordance with the “Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals: Writing and Editing for Biomedical Publication” available at http://www.icmje.org:

The title page should include authors’ full names and academic degrees; departmental and institutional affiliations of each author; and sources of financial assistance or potential conflicts of interest, if any. Listed authors should include only those individuals who have made a significant, creative contribution to the manuscript; a list of more than 6 authors must be justified to the Editors in the Letter of Submission. One author must be designated as the correspondent, with complete address, business telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address. Include a list of key words not in the title and a short, running title. Proofs and order forms for reprints will be sent to the corresponding author, if the paper is published. The corresponding author is responsible for communicating with the Editorial Office and all other co-authors.

Full-length papers for the Original Articles section of The Journal of Pediatrics must include a structured abstract of 200 words or less, to appear after the title page, in the general outline described by the Ad Hoc Working Group for Critical Appraisal of the Medical Literature (Ann Intern Med 1987;106:598-604 and 1990;113:69-76). The abstract must contain the following headings: Objective(s), Study design, Results, and Conclusion(s). The objective(s) reflects the purpose of the study, that is, the hypothesis that is being tested. The study design should include the type of study, the setting for the study, the subjects (number and type), the treatment or intervention, principal outcomes measured, and the type of statistical analysis. The results section should include the outcome of the study and statistical significance if appropriate. The conclusion(s) states the significance of the results.

In lieu of the structured abstract, Clinical and Laboratory Observations manuscripts should include a brief summation of 50 words, without headings.

Laboratory values should be described in metric mass units. The International System of Units (SI units) can be provided in parentheses immediately after metric units. Conversion tables are available (see JAMA 1986;255:2329-39 or Ann Intern Med 1987;106:114-29).

Drugs should be described in both the United States Adopted Name (USAN) and International Nonproprietary Name (INN) nomenclature. At first usage cite the USAN with the INN in parentheses; subsequent appearances should use the USAN only.

References must be numbered according to order of appearance in the text and use superscript or parenthesized numbers in the text. For reference style, follow the format set forth in “Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals” (http://www.icmje.org/), with journal abbreviations according to Cumulated Index Medicus. If reference is to an abstract, letter, or editorial, place the appropriate term in brackets after the title.

(if 6 or fewer authors or editors, list all; if 7 or more, list first 6 and add et al):

For Journal articles 

Kramarz P, DeStefano F, Gargiullo PM, Chen RT, Lieu TA, Davis RL, et al. Does influenza vaccination prevent asthma exacerbations in children? J Pediatr 2001;138:306-10.

Cozzi F, Morini F. Possible mechanisms of pacifier protection against SIDS [letter]. J Pediatr 2001;138:783.

For books 

Rosenstein BJ, Fosarelli PD. Pediatric pearls: the handbook of practical pediatrics. 3rd ed. St Louis: Mosby; 1997.

Virginia Law Foundation. The medical and legal implications of AIDS. Charlottesville (VA): The Foundation; 1987.

For chapters in books 

Neufeld EF, Muenzer J. The mucopolysaccharidoses. In: Scriver CR, Beaudet AL, Sly WS, et al, eds. The metabolic and molecular bases of inherited diseases. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2001. p. 3421-52.

For web sites 

American Medical Association [homepage on the Internet]. Chicago: The Association; c1995-2002 [updated 2001 Aug 23; cited 2002 Aug 12]. AMA Office of Group Practice Liaison; [about 2 screens]. Available from: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/1736.html

Tables are to be uploaded into Editorial Manager™ as separate documents. Each table must be double-spaced and be saved in Editorial Manager™ as a separate file. A concise title should be supplied for each. Tables should be self-explanatory and should supplement, not duplicate the text. If a table or any data therein have been previously published, a footnote must give full credit to the original source. (See “Permissions.”)

Each illustration must be provided with a legend. Legends should be double-spaced on a separate page within the main document file following the references page. If an illustration has been previously published, the legend must give full credit to the original source. (See “Permissions.”)

A reasonable number of black-and-white illustrations will be reproduced at no cost to the authors, but the Editors retain the right to edit or delete illustrations and tables for the sake of brevity. Authors are expected to pay the extra cost associated with reproduction of color illustrations in the print Journal. If the Editors approve, the author can choose not to pay for color printing and the illustration can appear in color in the online journal only at no additional cost (see below). Figure legends must be separate from the figures. (See “Figure Legends” above.)

If you are unable to upload illustrations into Editorial Manager, all black and white photographs must be sent as glossy prints, with good light-to-dark contrast; include an exactly matching diskette (see Illustrations in Electronic Format). The minimum size is 3 × 4 inches and the maximum is 5 × 7 inches; consistency of size within the article is preferred. Histologic figures must have a size bar and indication of magnification. Submit 4 sets of glossy prints, unmounted, numbered, and marked lightly on the back with author’s name, top designated.

Computer-generated illustrations must be legible with resolution of 300 dots per inch (dpi). Patterns or shadings must be distinguishable from each other and dark enough for reproduction. Lines, symbols, and letters must be smooth and complete. Each figure must be a separate file when uploading into Editorial Manager™. Submit 4 laser-printed originals and a matching diskette if sent by mail; photocopies, dot matrix prints, and photographic halftones are unacceptable.

Illustrations may also be original drawings in black ink with typographic lettering; typewritten or freehand lettering is unacceptable. Four sets of original illustrations are required if sent by mail; for freehand drawings, send glossy photographic prints. Do not send original artwork, imaging films, ECG strips, etc.

Color illustrations are acceptable. Note that the colors must be dark enough and of sufficient contrast for reproduction. Fluorescent colors do not reproduce well. Avoid using color descriptors in the figure legends.

The cost of color illustrations must be borne by the author(s). After final acceptance the publisher will contact authors with pricing and instructions for payment. If the Editors determine that color illustrations will be clear in black and white, the illustrations can be published in black and white in the print version and in color in the online version only at no cost to the authors.

For figures submitted in electronic format, including color illustrations, all images should be at least 5 inches wide. Images may be provided in a variety of formats. For complete instructions, please go to the Author Gateway at: www.authors.elsevier.com and click on Artwork Instructions. We will need print-quality hard copies of all illustrations only if the paper is accepted for publication.

Direct quotations, tables, or illustrations that have appeared in copyrighted material must be accompanied by written permission for their use from the copyright owner and original authors along with complete information as to source.

Written permission from the patient, or parent or guardian of a minor child, is required for publication of photographs that include the upper portion of the face; black bars over the eyes are not sufficient. Patient initials should not be used anywhere in the text, tables, or figures.

Articles appear in both the print and online versions of The Journal of Pediatrics, and wording of the letter should specify permission in all forms and media. Failure to obtain permission rights for electronic publication may result in the images not appearing in the online version.

Complex terms used frequently in the manuscript may be abbreviated. The manuscript should include a list of all abbreviations used. Abbreviations are placed in parentheses at first use in the abstract, and again at first use in the text.

Medical Progress 

Authors considering preparation of a review article for the Medical Progress section should submit a proposal letter and outline to the Editors for approval before submitting the full paper.

Invited Commentaries 

Commentaries are generally invited only. Authors who wish to propose a commentary can submit a proposal letter and outline to the Editors for approval before submitting the full paper.

Clinical and Laboratory Observations 

Papers in this format should fill 3 journal pages or less, the text 1000 words or less with a brief abstract of 50 words or less. A combined total of 2 illustrations and tables, and approximately 10 references, is recommended.

Insights 

Submissions to the Insights section of The Journal should succinctly illuminate clinical problems or solutions of interest to readers and must fit on one published page. Captioned photographs, brief anecdotes or analyses, or even cartoons are welcome; however, a fresh, useful clinical insight must be offered. All material must be original. Text must not exceed 300 words and is subject to shortening if the text and figure(s) do not fit on one published page. Figure(s) and references may be placed in the online only version of The Journal if the piece exceeds one published page. Photograph(s) must be original glossy prints, and artwork must be in the original form (see “Illustrations” above). Original, signed, written permission from the patient, or parent or guardian of a minor child, is required for publication of recognizable photographs in all forms and media. (See “Permissions” above.) Contributors will be required to sign a standard copyright transfer agreement; therefore, all submissions must have a title. Submissions will undergo review by the Editors, and their decision to accept or reject will be final (figures from rejected contributions will be returned).

Grand Rounds 

Authors for Grand Rounds should send a proposal letter before submission to ensure that their topic is not covered by a manuscript already in process. Manuscripts for the Grand Rounds section may be prepared in traditional clinicopathologic conference (CPC) style or as a didactic discussion.

Editorial Correspondence 

Letters pertaining to papers published in The Journal within the past year or to related topics should not exceed 300 words. Letters must be double-spaced. References, including reference to the pertinent article in The Journal, should conform to style for manuscripts (see previous page).

Inquiries Regarding Decisions 

All inquiries concerning manuscript decisions should be in writing; please see contact information above. The complete manuscript file will be forwarded to the appropriate Associate Editor for response to the inquiry. The Editors are not available for telephone calls regarding decisions.

AMSPDC Section 

Pages of The Journal are reserved for the Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs, Inc., (AMSPDC) which is solely responsible for their content. Only authors interested in this section should contact AMSPDC directly. All other papers must be submitted as detailed above.

Bonita Stanton, M.D.

Schotanus Professor and Chair

Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics

Wayne State University School of Medicine

Children’s Hospital of Michigan

3901 Beaubien Blvd., Suite 1K40

Detroit, MI 48201

Phone (313) 745-5870

News Items 

Announcements of scheduled meetings, symposia, or postgraduate courses of interest to the pediatric readership may be sent to the publisher for consideration at least 5 months in advance of the meeting date. News items of general interest to pediatricians and related specialists will also be considered.

Books for Review 

The Journal of Pediatrics does not publish book reviews. Books sent to the Editor cannot be returned.

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Checklist