Children (ISSN: 2227-9067) is an international, open access journal dedicated to a streamlined, yet scientifically rigorous, dissemination of peer-reviewed science related to childhood health and disease. The publication focuses on sharing clinical, epidemiological, and translational science relevant to children's health. More information about the journal is available at the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/children.

We are pleased to announce that the “Pediatric Surgery” Section of Children is now launching an open call for Special Issue proposals. Special Issues present an opportunity for a group of authors to work on an interconnected set of papers on an innovative topic. We aim to solicit high-quality proposals that will be evaluated in a competitive procedure on an ongoing basis throughout the year.

Proposed Special Issues should have a well-articulated unifying topic focused on pediatric surgery and reflect, at an international level, the best work in this particular research area. We welcome proposals addressing important sub-specialties, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Advanced technologies and innovative surgery;
• Surgical oncology and transplantation;
• Specialized pediatric surgical disciplines;
• Cross-disciplinary and systems-based care.

We encourage proposals addressing either well-established areas or important emerging fields in these pediatric surgical sub-specialties, where future investigations may be boosted by the publication of a set of high-quality papers. Hence, we encourage the recruitment of an international group of Guest Editors and the submission of a few high-quality planned papers.

Proposals for Special Issues should be sent to the Editorial Office, which will then forward them to the Editors of Children for evaluation. Alternatively, they can be submitted via the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journalproposal/sendproposalspecialissue/children.

The following information must be provided in your proposal:

• A 300–500-word summary explaining the proposed topic's significance, novelty, technical advancement, and adherence to the scope of the journal;
• A few keywords on the topic;
• A plan for obtaining high-quality papers or a list of at least three planned papers;
• A brief resume of the proposed Guest Editors together with their information (title, name, email, affiliation, personal website, keywords of interests);
• A proposed submission deadline (Special Issues normally run for 6–8 months).

As a Guest Editor, you would be responsible for the following:

• Inviting your peers to submit papers to be published in your Special Issue. These papers will experience the benefits of the high publicity offered by open access publishing, our rapid and high-quality peer review process, and immediate publication after acceptance;
• Checking the suitability of abstracts/manuscripts submitted to the Special Issue;
• Making pre-check decisions regarding whether to send a new submission to peer review;
• Making final decisions regarding accepting a paper based on peer review outcomes.

As a Guest Editor, you would have the following privileges:

• A certificate of recognition as a Guest Editor of Children;
• The ability to publish one feature paper in your Special Issue;
• The ability to provide invited authors with discounts when they submit high-quality papers to be published in your Special Issue;
• Travel grant opportunities to attend featured conferences.

If the Special Issue is successful and features at least 10 manuscripts after a full peer review, the articles will be published in a printed book and sent to you as a gift.

The Editorial Office will be responsible for setting up the Special Issue website, arranging promotional materials, assisting with invitations to contribute papers, and taking care of administrative tasks associated with peer review, including inviting reviewers, collating reports, contacting authors, and professional production before publication.

For further details on the submission process, please visit https://www.mdpi.com/journal/children/sections/Pediatric_Surgery.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Editorial Office if you are interested and would like further details or clarification.

We look forward to receiving your proposals.

Children Editorial Office