Promoting Pediatric Research and Closing the Gap in Publishing

Children are the foundation of our future, and their health and well-being are of paramount importance to humanity. Pediatricians play a crucial role in ensuring the health and well-being of children from birth through adolescence. They offer developmental monitoring, preventive and therapeutic care services, family education, and support, apart from being child advocates. The field of pediatrics is constantly evolving, with a growing need for new research and innovations. The job of a pediatrician is made harder by the continuous changes in demographics, pathophysiology, diagnostic, and therapeutic modalities. Parental expectations are high, and the mandate for the highest quality care makes the job of pediatricians even more challenging. It is vital for pediatricians to stay informed about the latest research, critically evaluate, and apply these treatment modalities effectively in their daily practice.

Publishing research is a critical component of keeping oneself up to date, as it allows for better understanding, critical thinking, knowledge sharing, and fostering of collaboration across disciplines. By doing the above and applying evidence-based information, one can ensure that patients receive the highest standard of care. Dedicated pediatric journals play a vital role in disseminating new research and promoting learning. They provide a platform for researchers, clinicians, and experts to share their findings, studies, and insights related to pediatric health, thereby contributing to the advancement of medical knowledge and evidence-based practices.

India has a few reputable pediatric journals, such as Indian Pediatrics and the Indian Journal of Pediatrics, dedicated to pediatric research. The lack of high-quality peer-reviewed journals that encourage publication from far-flung parts of the country is one of the biggest problems faced by researchers early in their career. This has created an ever-increasing gap in the publishing world, particularly in the current scenario, where the medical education regulator of the country, the National Medical Council, has mandated publications for the promotion of medical teachers. There is a need for a dedicated pediatric journal that caters to this group of researchers and fills the void.

To fill this void, the Indian Academy of Pediatrics – Tamil Nadu State Chapter has decided to bring forth a quarterly peer-reviewed journal, Annals of Child Health (ACH), dedicated to the publication of high-quality research. Our goal is to promote evidence-based research on a broad range of topics in the field of child health. The scope of this journal includes, but is not limited to, Clinical Research, Public Health, Developmental and Behavioral Health, Education and Training, and more. ACH is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity and rigor and will publish science-driven, peer-reviewed articles conforming to the strict international processes and editorial standards expected by the scientific community. We welcome submissions on a diverse range of topics within child health, including but not limited to clinical research, public health, and education. ACH provides an ideal stage for the exchange of information in various formats: Research papers, research briefs, and clinical case series. We invite everyone to submit their exciting research to ACH with a promise that all papers will be rigorously evaluated based on scientific content and peer-reviewed without any bias.