AO

Archives of Disease in Childhood

Archives of Disease in Childhood is an international peer-reviewed paediatric journal from BMJ and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, covering child health from the perinatal period through adolescence and publishing research reports, commentaries, clinical and policy reviews, and education.

Looking to publish in Archives of Disease in Childhood? Livewrite integrates seamlessly with Word to help you write, edit, and format faster.

Try Livewrite Now
Subject Pediatrics
Impact Factor 3.2
Quartile Q1
Open Access Type Hybrid
ISSN 0003-9888
eISSN 1468-2044
Invitation Only No
Cost Range Subscription; with hybrid open access option

Submission Instructions

Archives of Disease in Childhood accepts the following article types. Click on an article type to view submission instructions.

Original Research

Cover Letter Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract Original Research articles must include a structured abstract. The abstract must be up to 250 words. The abstract must be structured. The abstract must use the headings Objective, Design, Setting, Patients, Interventions, Main outcome measures, Results, and Conclusions.
Manuscript Original Research articles must be up to 3000 words excluding the title page, abstract, tables, figures, and references. The title should include the research type. A key messages section must appear after the abstract using the headings 'What is already known on this topic', 'What this study adds', and 'How this study might affect research, practice or policy' and be no more than 3–5 sentences.
References Original Research articles may include up to 40 references.
Figures & Tables Original Research articles may include up to 5 tables/illustrations. Tables and figures must be placed at the end of the submission after the references.
Reformat to Archives of Disease in Childhood using Livewrite Premium

Review

Cover Letter Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract An abstract is required for Review articles. The abstract must be no longer than 250 words.
Manuscript The manuscript must be a maximum of 3000 words, excluding the title page, abstract, tables, acknowledgements, contributions and references. The review must provide a balanced account of all aspects of a subject related to paediatrics or child health and describe the pros and cons of any contentious or uncertain aspect.
References Review articles may include a maximum of 40 references.
Figures & Tables Figures and tables are encouraged in Review articles.
Reformat to Archives of Disease in Childhood using Livewrite Premium

Letter

Cover Letter Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract An abstract is not required.
Manuscript Manuscript length must not exceed 500 words, excluding the title page, abstract, tables, acknowledgements, contributions, and references.
References No more than 4 references may be included.
Figures & Tables No more than 2 tables or illustrations may be included.
Reformat to Archives of Disease in Childhood using Livewrite Premium

Images In Paediatrics

Cover Letter Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript Manuscript text may include up to 250 words. Text must include a brief clinical outline and a clear clinical message or learning point. Submission must include a striking or clinically important image.
References Submissions may include up to 5 references.
Figures & Tables Figures & Tables requirements are not specified.
Reformat to Archives of Disease in Childhood using Livewrite Premium

Guideline

Cover Letter Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract An abstract is required. Abstract must be 250–350 words.
Manuscript Manuscript must present current or evolving neonatal and paediatric clinical practice updates and include consensus statements and guidance to improve clinical decision making.
References References requirements are not specified.
Figures & Tables Figures & Tables requirements are not specified.
Reformat to Archives of Disease in Childhood using Livewrite Premium

Recent Publications

Assessing and investigating children with suspected soft tissue sarcomas: an e-Delphi consensus process

Lorna Ni Cheallaigh, Timothy A Ritzmann, Jo-Fen Liu, Ashley Ball-Gamble, David Walker, Dhurgshaarna Shanmugavadivel

10.1136/archdischild-2026-330398
View Publication

Extent to which local authorities will exercise their parental responsibility

Robert Wheeler

10.1136/archdischild-2026-330651
View Publication

Scopes, maps and gaps

Bob Phillips

10.1136/archdischild-2026-331020
View Publication

Can point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) be used to guide closed reduction of paediatric forearm fractures?

Kazuki Iio, Maya Harel-Sterling, Gabrielle C Freire

10.1136/archdischild-2026-330589
View Publication

Turning the 10-year NHS plan into a 50-year legacy: the centrality of children and young people

Sunil Bhopal, John Wright, Mark Mon-Williams

10.1136/archdischild-2025-329963
View Publication

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to publish?

Time to first decision without review is 1 day (median), time to first decision is 56 days (median), and time from acceptance to publication is 16 days (median).

Reformat to Archives of Disease in Childhood using Livewrite Premium

Is a cover letter required?

A cover letter is referenced for explaining why a research checklist item is not applicable to the study.

Reformat to Archives of Disease in Childhood using Livewrite Premium

What are the publication costs?

Subscription journal with a hybrid open access option.

Reformat to Archives of Disease in Childhood using Livewrite Premium

Research Topics

Neonatal Respiratory Health Research Child and Adolescent Health Metabolism and Genetic Disorders Pharmaceutical studies and practices Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Studies Infant Development and Preterm Care Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life Neonatal and fetal brain pathology Neonatal Health and Biochemistry Neuroscience of respiration and sleep Infant Nutrition and Health Birth, Development, and Health Congenital Heart Disease Studies Ethics and Legal Issues in Pediatric Healthcare Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues Adolescent and Pediatric Healthcare Respiratory Support and Mechanisms Respiratory viral infections research Asthma and respiratory diseases Pediatric health and respiratory diseases Pediatric Urology and Nephrology Studies Cystic Fibrosis Research Advances Emergency and Acute Care Studies Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections Child Nutrition and Water Access

Related Journals

JO
Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society Oxford University Press
PN
Pediatric Nephrology Springer Science+Business Media
RO
RMD Open BMJ
BJ
British Journal of Sports Medicine BMJ
JO
Journal of Pediatric Nursing Elsevier BV
IJ
International Journal of Neonatal Screening Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute