Author Guidelines
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[PDF version of Instructions for Authors]
(Updated May 2025)
[PDF Letter of Commitment]
(Updated October 2023)
[Editorial Review Summary Table PDF]
(Updated October 2023)
PUBLICATION REGULATIONS
ANDES PEDIATRICA
May 2025
I. OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE
Revista Chilena de Pediatría, currently (2023) Andes Pediatrica, was born as the official organ of the Chilean Pediatric Society (www.sochipe.cl) in 1930. Andes Pediatrica/Revista Chilena de Pediatría is indexed in Medline, Scopus, Latindex, Scielo, Embase, Medes, and Periodica, among others.
The Journal is an open-access, double-blind peer-reviewed journal. It receives for publication original clinical, experimental, and basic science articles covering areas related to the health of neonates, children, and adolescents, as well as studies of molecular genetics, pathophysiology, epidemiology, social medicine, public health, medical education, and bioethics by health professionals and related fields. After the acceptance of the article, the author's (hereinafter the authors) rights (copyright) are transferred to Andes Pediatrica/Revista Chilena de Pediatría.
The order of publication of the papers is at the discretion of the Editorial Committee and ultimately the Editorial Board, which reserves the right to reject articles due to technical, scientific, editorial, or ethical reasons, as well as to suggest or make reductions or modifications to the text or graphic material.
II. SUBMISSION
Articles submitted for publication in the Journal should conform to the following instructions, strictly complying with the indications of the UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLICATIONS SUBMITTED TO BIOMEDICAL JOURNALS of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (http://www.icmje.org/recommendations/translations/spanish2016.pdf).
The article should be typed in Microsoft Word format or equivalent, double-spaced, Times New Roman font, and size 12.
The official publication language of Andes Pediatrica is Spanish:
a. Articles in English from Spanish-speaking authors may either submit the manuscript in Spanish or pay the translation fee into Spanish (US$200). In case of final rejection, the translated article will not be refunded.
b. For articles in English from non-Spanish speaking authors, the editorial process will be in English and, if the article is finally accepted, the translation fee into Spanish will be paid by the authors (US$200).
All original articles and clinical cases are finally published in both languages.
The manuscript must be uploaded to the Open Journal System (OJS) platform of Andes Pediatrica (https://www.revistachilenadepediatria.cl/index.php/rchped); to do so, a username and password must be acquired, enter the system, classify the article according to the type it corresponds to (original, clinical case, etc.), and enter it with the detail that the OJS system indicates. Articles in formats that do not correspond to what is indicated in these regulations will not be accepted.
Articles corresponding to Original Articles, Clinical Series, Clinical Cases, and Brief Communications must have the approval or waiver of the corresponding Scientific Ethics Committee (CEC). Each local or institutional CEC is responsible for requesting or not informed consent in its internal evaluation process.
In those articles that incorporate images, sensitive data, or related material (videos, infographics, and others) of the patients, the approval of parents or guardians must be sent in a standard format available on the website of the manuscript submission platform (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r5ZESEFIKEYuVERzeog2knfx4V9N6oHB/view?usp=sharing ) in those cases in which the institutional consent does not consider it. In patients older than 12 years of age, an informed assent form should also be attached.
Articles approved for publication may include, if considered a contribution to readers, a summary video of the research, which, like the images published in Andes Pediatrica, will remain in the journal's digital platforms as a primary source of access.
The Journal, by conceptual necessity and by the principle of non-discrimination, suggests avoiding gender bias in its manuscripts, in the understanding that it is essential to promote equality and equity in scientific communications. To this end, it is recommended to avoid pronouns that cause bias and to prioritize the use of common gender nouns in manuscripts that are spelled the same regardless of gender, e.g., dentist, pianist, etc.
The followings are some recommendations and examples that can help authors to write manuscripts with inclusive language and without gender bias:
- Prioritize the use of neutral pronouns such as:
- Neutral groups:
The origin of man ➔ The origin of the human species
- Groups of people: use generic metonymic nouns:
Adolescents ➔ Adolescence
- Groups of people to be duplicated which can be abbreviated:
Congressmen ➔ Members of Parliament (Congressman/woman)
- Avoid using terms that imply an exclusive association with a particular gender, looking for neutral solutions that apply to people of any gender such as:
- When she/he received the medication ➔ when the patient received the medication.
- The authors analyzed the data and found that… ➔ When analyzing the data, it was found that...
- Avoid generalizing or assuming roles or characteristics that belong exclusively to a particular gender and avoid gender stereotypes:
- In emergency care, the physician/nurse indicated… ➔ In emergency care, the medical team indicated…
III. MULTIPLE, DUPLICATE, AND PLAGIARIZED PUBLICATIONS
The Journal does not publish articles that plagiarize, substantially overlap, or duplicate other articles previously published or submitted for simultaneous publication in other journals.
The Journal maintains a rigorous review of the manuscripts submitted for evaluation, through the IThenticate tool, which allows the detection of detailed and quantitative similarities with articles already published.
The following statement on multiple publications was approved by the International Committee of Medical Journals (www.icmje.org) in May 1983. It has been edited to serve as a guide for authors and editors: Multiple publications are defined as the publication of the same information, content, analysis, etc., more than once, even if the wording or presentation is different. In this sense, multiple publications include parallel and repeated publications. Parallel publications are understood as that in which the secondary publication is intended for readers whose native language is different from that of the primary publication, which would thus be beyond their reach and is therefore also referred to as a dual-language publication. This classification includes secondary publications intended for physicians who do not usually employ systematic information recording and retrieval methods in their professional reading. Repeated or improperly duplicated publications are multiple publications intended for groups of readers who share both publications (primary and secondary) and who most likely use similar systems of recording and retrieval of professional information.
The policy of journal editors toward these multiple publications is as follows:
Parallel publications are accepted if: a) the editors of both journals involved are fully informed. The editorial team of the second publication should have a photocopy, reprint, or copy of the original of the first version; b) the priority of the first publication should be respected by the second one with an interval of at least 2 weeks; c) the content of the second publication is written for a different group of readers, in other words, it is not a simple translation of the first one, of which, sometimes, an abridged version will suffice; d) the second version accurately reflects the information and interpretations of the primary version; e) a footnote on the first page of the second version informs readers and documentation agencies that the work was edited and is being published for an audience or public in parallel with the first version, using the same information. The footnote on the first page should provide sufficient and adequate reference to the first version; and f) in the curriculum vitae and reports of scientific production, works published in parallel should be unequivocally indicated.
Repeated or duplicate publication is not acceptable and authors who violate this rule may be subject to penalties. Preliminary submissions or prior publications, i.e., the disclosure of scientific information described in a paper that has been accepted but not yet published, are considered a violation of the copyright in many journals. In exceptional cases, and only with the approval of the editorial team of the primary publication, preliminary releases of information may be accepted, for example, to warn the population of a risk.
IV. ARBITRATION PROCESS
The peer review system is the fundamental element that distinguishes a scientific journal from other types of publications. The principles of Open Science promote transparency in this process as one of the factors that qualify the prestige and relevance of the journal for the advancement of research.
Our commitment to peer review is rigorous. We have rigorous policies that rule every stage and aspect of our peer review process, from initial submission to reviews, decisions, and appeals.
Andes Pediatrica has had a peer review system since its inception. The process is described in the journal's website and platform at: https://www.revistachilenadepediatria.cl/index.php/rchped/about/editorialPolicies#peerReviewProcess
Peer review process
Andes Pediatrica/Revista Chilena de Pediatría in its refereeing process adheres to the principles outlined by The Council of Science Editors (CSE), which are available at: http://www.councilscienceeditors.org/services/draft_approved.cfm.
Each manuscript is reviewed by 2 to 3 reviewers (referees) depending on the type of paper. The reviewers are selected according to a database where each reviewer is classified according to their area of interest, revisions made, rating of the Editorial Committee, and response times. The referees proposed by the authors at the time of submitting their manuscript are also considered, for which the authors should indicate the possible reviewers, indicating the name and e-mail address of specialists in the subject that they consider best qualified to act as referees, and with whom they have no joint publications during the last 5 years, nor any kinship, professional, commercial, or tutor-student relationship. If there are conflicts of interest between the authors and certain experts, it should be mentioned in this form, indicating the names of the persons who do not wish to participate in the arbitration process. This information will be kept strictly confidential.
In the first phase, the persons in charge of the editorial office and editorial assistance evaluate the relevance in form and content of the manuscript and assign it to a Section Editor of the Editorial Committee (estimated time: 2-3 working days).
In the second phase, an editor in charge reviews the manuscript to detect possible plagiarism, using the Ithenticate tool (https://www.ithenticate.com). Then, potential reviewers are selected, who must respond through the platform their acceptance to be a reviewer within one week. Additionally, the Editorial Committee evaluates potential reviewers for manuscripts on unusual topics or those requiring special knowledge of the Journal's thematic area. Special attention is paid to possible conflicts of interest between authors and reviewers.
In the third phase, the referees who agreed to review the manuscript are given full access to the manuscript anonymously on the Journal's platform. Through the platform, reviewers can comment in detail to the authors and confidentially to the Editor. In addition, reviewers have tools (guidelines) that can help them review the manuscript according to the design, which are available on the platform.
Clinical trials: CONSORT
Observational studies: STROBE
Systematic reviews: PRISMA
Narrative Reviews: SANRA
Diagnostic studies: STARD
Clinical Case: CARE
Qualitative studies: SRQR
Economic evaluations: CHEERS
Also, reviewers can find a link to a general guidance document for reviewers in the first round of reviews.
The time limit for reviewers to agree to review the manuscript is 7 days.
Then, the Rounds of Review by the reviewers and the new corrected and improved versions are initiated. The usual number of rounds of review that manuscripts undergo and are finally accepted is at least two but may be extended for varying periods until a decision on the manuscript is made.
The deadline for reviewers is 3 weeks and the deadline for authors is 8 weeks.
Once the manuscript has been accepted and edited by the Editor in charge, the final version is submitted to the Editor in Chief for review and final acceptance.
The options for rulings in any of the review rounds are:
- Accepted manuscript; it is fit for publication.
- Publishable but requires modifications.
- Publishable but requires major modifications and/or reassessment.
- Not publishable which means it is rejected.
Once the process is completed, each reviewer receives a notification of the final status of the manuscript if it is accepted. In addition, in issue 6 of each volume (Nov/Dec) we publish the list of referees for the year ending, in alphabetical order, and from 2023 with their ORCID digital identifier. Each reviewer or referee receives an annual certificate for his or her contribution to the process.
The Journal has an updated list of referees by name, demographics, and area of interest, which includes their affiliation data, languages they can review, and their updated ORCID profile. Beginning in 2023, this list will include detailed information on how reviewers or referees were distributed in terms of country or geographic region of origin, primary affiliation, academic degree, and gender diversity.
Appeals
Even in cases where the Journal rejects a manuscript, authors may ask the Editorial Committee to reconsider its decision. These are appeals that, as a rule, should take a back seat to the normal workload. In practice, this means that decisions on appeals often take several weeks. Only one appeal per manuscript is allowed, and appeals can only take place after peer review. The final decision on appeals will be made by the Editorial Committee member in charge of the article.
Decisions are reversed on appeal only if any member of the Editorial Committee is convinced that the original decision was a serious error. Consideration of an appeal is warranted if a referee has made substantial factual errors or shown bias, but only if a reversal of that referee's opinion would have changed the original decision. If an appeal warrants further review, the Editorial Committee may send the authors' response and the revised article for a new peer review.
V. GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS IN HEALTH. EQUATOR NETWORK PROJECT
The EQUATOR Network is an international initiative that aims to improve the reliability and value of the medical research literature by promoting clear and accurate reporting practices for research studies.
On its home page (www.equator-network.org/), translated into Spanish at http://www.espanol.equator-network.org/home/, you will find access to 3 content areas: Guidelines, Authors, and Editors. The Authors area contains extensive and detailed information on Resources for authors, aimed at assisting in the development of high-quality research publications, through the sections on Planning and Conducting Your Research, Writing Your Research, Medical Writers/Additional Resources, and Ethical Considerations and Guidelines.
Articles should follow the publication guidelines according to the design:
Clinical trials: CONSORT
Observational studies: STROBE
Systematic reviews: PRISMA
Narrative Reviews: SANRA
Diagnostic studies: STARD
Clinical Case: CARE
Qualitative studies: SRQR
Economic evaluations: CHEERS
VI. STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP (HTTPS://CREDIT.NISO.ORG/)
a. CRediT
(Contributor Roles Taxonomy) is an initiative of CASRAI (Consortia Advancing Standards in Research Administration Information) that aims to differentiate and recognize the contribution of each person who signs a scientific research article. This taxonomy distributes the roles of participation in 14 items where recognition in the publication is obtained, being identified in one of the following categories:
- Conceptualization - Ideas, formulation, or evolution of research objectives.
- Data collection - Management activities to annotate (produce metadata), clean data, and maintain research data (including software code when necessary to interpret the data itself) for initial use and subsequent reuse.
- Formal analysis - Application of statistical, mathematical, computational, or other techniques to record, analyze, or synthesize study data.
- Fund Acquisition - Acquisition of financial support for the project leading to publication.
- Research - Execution of the research, specifically performing experiments or data/evidence collection.
- Methodology - Methodology development or design.
- Project administration - Management responsibility and coordination of the planning and implementation of the research activity.
- Resources - Provision of study materials, reagents, materials, patients, laboratory specimens, animals, instrumentation, computer resources, or other analytical tools.
- Software - Programming, software development and design, implementation of computer code and supporting algorithms, and testing of existing code components.
- Supervision - Supervisory and leadership responsibility for planning and conducting research activities, including mentoring external to the core team.
- Validation - Verification, either as part of the activity or separately, of the overall replicability/reproducibility of results/experiments or other research products.
- Visualization - Preparation, creation, or presentation of the published work, specifically the visualization/presentation of data.
- Writing - original draft - Preparation, creation, or presentation of the published work, specifically the writing of the initial draft (including substantive translation).
- Writing - reviewing and editing - Preparation, creation, or presentation of the published work by members of the original research group, specifically critical review, commentary, or revision. Pre- or post-publication stages should be included.
b. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The recent introduction of Artificial Intelligence as part of scientific research and publication should be considered a support tool, which in no case constitutes an authorship role. The use of chatbots to support manuscripts must be strictly regulated by the authors in a technical, professional, and ethical framework, and declared in the respective sections when submitting their manuscript on the Andes Pediatrica editorial platform. Manuscripts that fail to comply with the indications of these Regulations will not be considered for review in the editorial process.
VII.PREPARING YOUR MANUSCRIPT: TYPE OF ARTICLES
Andes Pediatrica receives for publication original, clinical, experimental, and basic sciences articles, covering areas related to the health of neonates, children, and adolescents.
- Original Articles (Quantitative Research)
- Original Articles (Qualitative Research)
- Brief Communications
- Review Articles
- Topicality, Branch Recommendations, and Clinical Guidelines
- Clinical Cases and Clinical Series
- Editorials
- Letters to the Editor
- Special articles (Art, History, Others)
