Submit to a Special Issue
Align your manuscript with a focused neonatal theme.
Submit your work to a focused collection
Special issues are curated around timely neonatal topics and provide heightened visibility within the field.
Follow the guidance below to ensure smooth screening and review.
Theme alignment
Explain how your study fits the special issue focus in the abstract and cover letter.
Methods clarity
Provide complete methods and validation details for neonatal cohorts.
Ethics readiness
Include IRB approval and consent statements where required.
Data statements
Add data availability and code access statements for transparency.
Figure quality
Ensure neonatal imaging and figures are high resolution with clear captions.
- Select the correct special issue during submission.
- Confirm all authors approved the final manuscript.
- Provide a clear statement of novelty.
- Include conflict of interest and funding disclosures.
- Suggest reviewers without conflicts of interest.
- Confirm that figures and tables are uploaded separately.
If you are unsure about theme fit, email [email protected] before submission.
Special issue submissions are reviewed to the same high standards as regular issues.
These special issue submissions considerations help avoid delays, support compliance, and keep neonatal manuscripts ready for rapid publication.
Plan approvals and documentation early so editorial checks can move smoothly and authors remain on schedule.
Clear coordination across teams reduces rework and strengthens trust in the final record.
Workflow clarity
Define roles, responsibilities, and expected response times for special issue submissions tasks across all contributors.
Documentation readiness
Organize approvals, forms, and supporting files before final submission to avoid last minute delays.
Stakeholder alignment
Align coauthors, departments, and institutions on special issue submissions decisions and approval pathways.
Timeline control
Build buffer time for reviews, approvals, and compliance checks tied to special issue submissions.
Quality assurance
Confirm key elements are consistent across the manuscript, metadata, and supplementary files.
Communication cadence
Maintain clear updates with the editorial office and respond quickly to special issue submissions requests.
Compliance tracking
Record required disclosures and policy statements to keep special issue submissions documentation complete.
Version control
Keep a clear version history so revisions and special issue submissions changes are traceable.
- Confirm the responsible contact for special issue submissions coordination.
- Validate that required statements are included and up to date.
- Double check consistency between forms and manuscript text.
- Record timelines and key dates to avoid delays.
- Retain documentation for institutional or funder reporting.
- Keep a change log for special issue submissions updates during revision.
- Review policy alignment before final submission.
- Ask questions early if any requirements are unclear.
A final set of special issue submissions checkpoints helps keep the submission complete and compliant.
These steps reduce back and forth and improve editorial efficiency.
Consistency check
Align terminology, abbreviations, and labels across the manuscript.
Readability check
Confirm the narrative is clear for neonatal audiences and clinical teams.
Policy alignment
Verify special issue submissions statements match journal policies and funder expectations.
Submission readiness
Confirm files, disclosures, and metadata are complete.
Quality review
Recheck figures, tables, and supplements for accuracy.
Timeline review
Confirm deadlines for approvals and final submission.
- Check contact details for accuracy.
- Ensure core statements appear in the correct section.
- Review timelines and expectations with coauthors.
- Verify that required supplements are included.
- Confirm that disclosures match funding records.
- Ensure submission files use clear names and versions.
Launch or Contribute to a Special Issue
Advance neonatal and perinatal care through focused collections with high visibility.
