Announcements

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 in developed and developing countries.

We are now recruiting Guest Editors for the “Pediatric Ophthalmology” Section of this journal. If you are an active researcher in this field and passionate about publishing cutting-edge research, please do not hesitate to contact us at children@mdpi.com. 

Information to 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, and keywords of interests);
• A proposed submission deadline (Special Issues normally run for 6–8 months).

The responsibilities of Guest Editors include the following:

• Defining the aims and scopes of Special Issues;
• Carrying out pre-checks and making final decisions as to whether a paper is acceptable (according to the review reports);
• Providing potential author lists and inviting high-quality contributions. 

The benefits for Guest Editors include the following:

• A certificate in recognition of your role as a Guest Editor of Children;
• A book that could be published if more than eight papers are published in a Special Issue;
• Travel grant opportunities to attend featured conferences;
• Consideration as a Children Editorial Board Member candidate if a Special Issue is successful. 

It is our pleasure to receive applications from leading experts in the academic fields of childhood health and disease. We welcome and encourage you to apply. 

You can submit your application directly via the following link before 31 December 2026: https://www.mdpi.com/journalproposal/sendproposalspecialissue/children. We look forward to receiving your proposal.

To collect more high-quality manuscripts related to this Section, the Editorial Office invites outstanding scholars to serve as Guest Editors for topics of interest in the field, thereby disseminating new research findings to the academic community.

The following two Special Issues, published in Children, are open for new paper submissions:

“Current Strategies in Myopia Prevention and Management for Children and Adolescents“
Guest Editors: Dr. Laura Batres, Dr. Cristina Arroyo-del Arroyo and Dr. Maria Serramito-Blanco
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 August 2026

“Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Global Perspective and Recent Developments“
Guest Editors: Dr. Kiran Bora and Dr. Deokho Lee
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026

If you have any questions before or after applying, please do not hesitate to contact us at children@mdpi.com. 

Children Editorial Office

The “Pediatric Nursing” Section of the journal Children (ISSN: 2227-9067) is committed to representing issues related to nursing care provided to children of all ages and in every setting. Articles may address any aspect of clinical care, family-centered care, service delivery, public health, health education or research related to children’s health and illness from a nursing perspective or with a focus on nursing interventions. All study types with rigorous methodology and analysis are welcome. Novel commentaries with relevance to pediatric nursing will also be considered. Case reports will only be considered if they report on novel findings with important clinical implications.

Keywords:

• Child;
• Primary health care;
• Public health;
• Critical care;
• Pediatric nursing;
• Neonatal nursing;
• Maternal–child nursing;
• Family nursing;
• School nursing;
• Caregivers;
• Child health;
• Patient care management;
• Patient-centered care;
• Health education;
• Comprehensive health care;
• Continuity of patient care.

We welcome everyone to follow our section and explore topics that may be of interest to you. For more details about this section and to gain access to its latest publications, please visit https://www.mdpi.com/journal/children/sections/Pediatric_Nursing.

Here are some high cited articles published during 2024 and 2025 in this Section:

1. “Child and Family Outcomes and Experiences Related to Family-Centered Care Interventions for Hospitalized Pediatric Patients: A Systematic Review”
by Christine R. Hodgson, Renee Mehra and Linda S. Franck
Children 2024, 11(8), 949; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11080949
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/8/949

2. “Effectiveness of Non-Pharmacological Interventions in the Management of Pediatric Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review”
by Abel Checa-Peñalver, Cristina Lírio-Romero, Esther A. Luiz Ferreira, Sonsoles Hernandes-Iglesias, Inmaculada García-Valdivieso, Juan Manuel Pérez-Pozuelo and Sagrario Gómez-Cantarino
Children 2024, 11(12), 1420; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11121420
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/12/1420

3. “Vulnerability in Children with Celiac Disease: Findings from a Scoping Review”
by Lúcia Macedo, Marta Catarino, Constança Festas and Paulo Alves
Children 2024, 11(6), 729; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11060729
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/6/729

4. “Deciphering the Link Between Diagnosis-Related Group Weight and Nursing Care Complexity in Hospitalized Children: An Observational Study”
by Manuele Cesare, Fabio D’Agostino, Emanuele Sebastiani, Nursing and Public Health Group, Gianfranco Damiani and Antonello Cocchieri
Children 2025, 12(1), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12010103
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/1/103

5. “Bowel Management in Hirschsprung Disease—Pre-, Peri- and Postoperative Care for Primary Pull-Through”
by Judith Lindert, Felix Schulze and Stefanie Märzheuser
Children 2024, 11(5), 588; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11050588
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/5/588

6. “Family-Centered Care for LGBTQ+ Parents of Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: An Integrative Review”
by Olivia Swedberg Yinger, Aubrey Jones, Keisa Fallin-Bennett, Chelsea Gibbs and Rachel H. Farr
Children 2024, 11(6), 615; https://doi.org/10.3390/children110606158020170
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/6/615 

7. “Stress in Family Caregivers of Children with Chronic Health Conditions: A Case–Control Study”
by Jaqueline Brosso Zonta, Aline Cristiane Cavicchioli Okido, Bruna Josiane de Lima, Bianca Annie Martins, Wendy Sue Looman, Luis Carlos Lopes-Júnior, Fernanda Machado Silva-Rodrigues and
Regina Aparecida Garcia de Lima
Children 2024, 11(11), 1347; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11111347
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/11/1347

8. “Aquatic Therapy in Children and Adolescents with Disabilities: A Scoping Review”
by Anna Ogonowska-Slodownik, Oliwia Jakobowicz, Lyndsay Alexander, Andresa R. Marinho-Buzelli, Catherine Devion and Natalia Morgulec-Adamowicz
Children 2024, 11(11), 1404; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11111404
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/11/1404

To enrich the academic content of this Section and advance frontier research, we welcome proposals at https://www.mdpi.com/journalproposal/sendproposalspecialissue/children.

Relevant Special Issues:

“Nursing Care in Paediatric Intensive Care Unit”
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Janet Yvonne Mattsson and Prof. Dr. Gunilla Björling
Submission deadline: 20 June 2026

“Emerging Challenges in Pediatric and Neonatal Acute Care: Clinical Innovation and Soft Skills Support”
Guest Editors: Dr. Silvia Marino and Dr. Milena La Spina
Submission deadline: 15 July 2026

If you have any questions about submissions or Special Issue projects, please do not hesitate to contact us at children@mdpi.com.

Children Editorial Office

We are honored to announce that Prof. Dr. William Gerwick will serve as the Chair of the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee.

A world-renowned authority in marine natural products chemistry and pharmacology, Professor Gerwick is a Distinguished Professor at both the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). His pioneering work at the intersection of ocean sciences and drug discovery makes him a fitting leader for an award centered on transformative medicinal breakthroughs.

Under Professor Gerwick’s stewardship, the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee will focus on recognizing innovative and impactful research in natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry, particularly work with the potential to drive meaningful advances in both scientific understanding and human health.

To provide further insight into his perspectives, we include below an interview with Professor Gerwick, in which he reflects on his scientific journey, his views on the field, and his vision for the Tu Youyou Award.

A Conversation with the Chair

1. Could you please introduce yourself and your research journey?

My research focuses on the natural products of marine algae and cyanobacteria, their application in medicine, their biosynthesis using genomic approaches, and innovative methods in the structure elucidation of natural products.

I received my BS degree from the University of California at Davis, my PhD from the University of California at San Diego, and conducted postdoctoral work at the University of Connecticut. After a couple of years in a junior faculty position at the Department of Chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico, I spent 21 years as Professor of Pharmacy at Oregon State University. In 2005, I returned to my PhD institution at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at UC San Diego, where I am currently a Distinguished Professor of Oceanography and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to advancing the field through both leadership and mentorship. I have served as president of the American Society of Pharmacognosy, chaired and co-chaired several major research conferences, and served as an associate editor for the Journal of Natural Products. I am a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and of the American Society of Pharmacognosy. I have trained over 100 doctoral and postdoctoral students, and my research group has published nearly 500 papers and more than 25 patents on topics in the natural product sciences and medicinal chemistry.

2. What motivated you to accept the role of Chair of the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee?

Of course, I am a huge supporter of all awards that are given in recognition of excellent scientific research, and especially so in the natural products sciences and medicinal chemistry. However, this award is truly special in that it recognizes scientific excellence as well as impact, and is given in the name of an individual, Tu Youyou, who clearly had many challenges along the path to reach the pinnacle of her success. Not only was she the first Chinese person to win a Nobel prize in this area, but she was also the first Chinese woman to receive a Nobel prize, and this was achieved without graduate education in China or elsewhere. It’s a true testament to what can be achieved by hard work, determination, and vision. To read the history of her extraordinary approach to discovering novel antimalarial compounds from Traditional Chinese Medicine is truly inspirational. It is, therefore, the inspiration provided by the extraordinary life and career of Tu Youyou that motivated me to accept the Chair of the Award Committee for 2026.

3. How do you view the role of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry in today’s scientific landscape, and what major advances over the past decade have shaped this field?

A quite remarkable integration of fields is currently transforming natural products science and medicinal chemistry. In natural products, we are seeing integration of different omics methods, from metabolites to proteins to nucleic acids. Sophisticated biological and pharmacological approaches are driving the discovery of exquisitely potent and selective natural products. Advances are being made to integrate molecular-level recognition of natural products with chemical ecological studies, and sophisticated methods of structure determination using Artificial Intelligence or pioneering new tools such as microED are being applied with increasing frequency. High-level synthetic methodologies, such as protecting group-free synthetic routes, are enhancing medicinal chemistry, accelerating the identification of lead molecules with attractive pharmaceutical properties at an increasing pace.

4. How do you consider the balance between fundamental discovery (e.g., new molecules or mechanisms) and practical impact (e.g., therapeutic applications)?

Many individuals are excellent scientists and mentors, and have essential roles in developing our culture that values science and the scientific method. It should also be pointed out that not all scientific discoveries are going to have a broad societal impact, but they are nevertheless critical to the overall body and structure of science. But it is a truly remarkable individual who makes a key scientific discovery, recognizes its potential value to society in general, and then has the skills and determination to bring it forward as a useful product. That was the type of person the Tu Youyou is, and that is the type of person who is honored by the prize in her name.

5. What do you see as the key challenges or opportunities currently facing the field?

We are on the crux of an amazing revolution in many of the sciences, including natural products and medicinal chemistry; the purposeful application of Artificial Intelligence to solving many of the difficulties involved in the search for new pharmaceuticals from Nature. AI is transforming how we select organisms for study, what pharmaceutical targets to go after, rapidly resolving the chemical structures of new compounds, identifying efficient routes to their chemical synthesis, understanding their molecular mechanisms of action, and finally, designing their clinical application. The role of people in these pursuits is changing. Increasingly, the human role will be providing overall vision: what can we do? What should we do? And it is important to remember that AI is providing hypotheses, not truth. Scientists with expert domain knowledge will be critical for discerning the correctness of hypotheses put forth by AI. Altogether, advances in technology, expanding knowledge, and the appropriate use of AI methods are preparing society to be able to address emerging diseases, such as pandemics, as well as conditions that are not effectively treated by currently existing therapeutics.

6. How do you expect the Tu Youyou Award to contribute to the advancement of natural product chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and human health over the coming years?

The Tu Youyou Award is potentially transformative for the broad fields of natural products science and medicinal chemistry as it brings a significantly increased level of visibility to these topics and their contributions to human health. It will be crucial to have excellent communication to news agencies, social media and other communication outlets so that the general public is informed and educated on the high impact of these natural product/medicinal chemistry contributions. This will bring increased funding, attract promising students, and generally enrich the interface of these fields with the health sector.

7. What message would you like to convey to the research community and the public during this open nomination phase?

This prize gives broad societal visibility to the role that natural products have had in shaping a majority of our current medicines, as well as understanding the life forms with whom we share the planet. Further, it recognizes a woman scientist working under sub-optimal conditions who could persevere and make discoveries of global impact. The prize and what it represents, therefore, inspires current and future generations to engage in the study of Nature and its relationship to Human Health, to overcome adversity, and to aspire to making one’s life impactful.

About the Tu Youyou Award

Established in 2016, the Tu Youyou Award seeks to honor those who excel in the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry. This award offers a total prize of CHF 100,000, which will be equally divided among the winners if there is more than one, with each recipient receiving an award medal and a certificate.

The 2026 Tu Youyou Award is open for nominations until 31 October 2026. We encourage all eligible candidates to participate in this prestigious recognition, as this award not only honors individual achievement but also encourages further scientific exchange, exploration and discovery in critical areas of medicine.

If you are interested in participating, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website for more information on the nomination requirements.

Our portfolio of journals available for publishing up-to-date research in immediate open access format has been further expanded. In the first quarter of 2026, nine new journals released their inaugural issues and three transferred journals released their first issue as part of MDPI, covering the subjects of clinical medicine, chemistry, computer science & mathematics, engineering, environment & ecology, and social sciences & psychology.

We extend our gratitude to the Editors-in-Chief, Associate Editors, and Editorial Board Members who will shape the future course of these brand-new journals. Each journal is dedicated to upholding strong editorial standards through a thorough peer review process, ensuring impactful open access scholarship.

Please feel free to browse and discover more about the new journals below.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported the development of open access publishing. If you would like to create a new journal, you are welcome to send an application here or contact the New Journal Committee (newjournal-committee@mdpi.com).

World Health Day, observed annually on 7 April, highlights the global commitment to improving public health and ensuring that all people have access to quality healthcare. Established by the World Health Organization, the day draws attention to pressing health challenges and mobilizes collective action to strengthen health systems, advance medical research, and promote well-being worldwide.

Despite significant progress in medicine and public health, many individuals and communities continue to face barriers to healthcare, including unequal access to services, limited resources, and emerging global health threats. These interconnected challenges highlight the importance of sustained research, international collaboration, and evidence-based policies to improve health outcomes and build resilient healthcare systems.

In support of World Health Day 2026 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well‑Being, MDPI journals from the Public Health & Healthcare subject aim to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and research on global health, disease prevention, and healthcare innovation. Through Special Issues and research articles, MDPI provides platforms to explore health challenges from diverse perspectives, including public health, clinical medicine, epidemiology, and health policy.

We are delighted to announce that nominations are now open for the 2026 Tu Youyou Award. Named after Nobel Laureate Tu Youyou, whose discovery of artemisinin has saved millions of lives, this award recognizes researchers whose work advances the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry, while also contributing to human health.

“Breastfeeding in Infancy and Adult Health: A Narrative Review”
by Eleftherios Panteris, Ioanna Kakatsaki, Ourania Galani, Zoi Koukou and Eleftheria Hatzidaki
Children 2026, 13(2), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/children13020286

“Bridging the Gap: Health Education Needs Among Rural Populations with Chronic Illness and Low Health Literacy in Unincorporated Communities in Southern California”
by Shiloh A. Williams, Ryan C. Shriver and Candace C. Juhala
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23(1), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23010021

“Predicting Workplace Hazard, Stress and Burnout Among Public Health Inspectors: An AI-Driven Analysis in the Context of Climate Change”
by Ioannis Adamopoulos, Antonios Valamontes, Panagiotis Tsirkas and George Dounias
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2025, 15(5), 65; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe15050065

“Clinical and Public Health Challenge of Handling Synthetic Cathinone and Cannabinoid Abuse in Pediatric Care: A Narrative Review”
by Valerio Ricci and Giuseppe Maina
Pediatr. Rep. 2025, 17(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/pediatric17010019

 “Factors Affecting Online Health Promotion Program Adherence Among People with Disabilities”
by Madison Mintz, Robert A. Oster, Jereme Wilroy and James H. Rimmer
Disabilities 2025, 5(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities5010016

“Digital Twins’ Advancements and Applications in Healthcare, Towards Precision Medicine”
by Konstantinos Papachristou, Paraskevi F. Katsakiori, Panagiotis Papadimitroulas, Lidia Strigari and George C. Kagadis
J. Pers. Med. 2024, 14(11), 1101; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14111101

”European Nurses’ Burnout before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Impact on Patient Safety: A Scoping Review”
by Goitseone Mogomotsi and Jennifer Creese
Hospitals 2024, 1(2), 151-171; https://doi.org/10.3390/hospitals1020013

“Framework to Support the Transfer of Innovative Interventions in the Disability Field: Lessons from the Transferability of Complex Interventions in Public Health: A Review”
by Eléonore Ségard, Philippe Chervin and Linda Cambon
Disabilities 2024, 4(3), 724-740; https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities4030044

“Body-Related Attitudes, Self-Esteem, and Psychological Wellbeing” Guest Editors: Dr. Anne-Mette Hermans, Dr. Rebecca Nash and Dr. Helena Lewis-Smith Submission deadline: 30 June 2026	“Reducing Health Disparities: The Role of Health Literacy and Health Promotion” Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Hae-Ra Han Submission deadline: 31 July 2026
“Ehealth, Telemedicine, and AI in the Precision Medicine Era” Guest Editor: Dr. Mirella Veras Submission deadline: 20 August 2026	“Emergency and Disaster Medicine: Preparedness, Response, and Resilience in Health Systems” Guest Editor: Dr. Ulrich Sack Submission deadline: 31 October 2026

The 2nd International One Health Conference Location: Barcelona, Spain Volume Editors: Margherita Ferrante and Gea Oliveri Conti Highlights: “Climate Crises Associated with Epidemiological, Environmental, and Ecosystem Effects of a Storm: Flooding, Landslides, and Damage to Urban and Rural Areas (Extreme Weather Events of Storm Daniel in Thessaly, Greece)” by Ioannis Adamopoulos, Aikaterini Frantzana and Niki Syrou “Public Health Implications of Antimicrobial Resistance in Wildlife at the One Health Interface” by Julio A. Benavides, Marilia Salgado-Caxito, Carmen Torres and Sylvain Godreuil Click here to read the full list of papers.

To thank our reviewers, the Children Editorial Office will announce our Exceptional Reviewers each month. You can get the award list here: https://www.mdpi.com/about/announcements/15639. 

We wish to congratulate Dr. Swati Jayaram (Nationwide Children’s Hospital) for being featured on this list. She shared with us some professional opinions about the current peer-review process. 

The following is an interview with Dr. Swati Jayaram: 

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself and your current research topic to our readers, as well as the important role of your research area in promoting children's health?
I specialize in pediatric pulmonary and sleep medicine, with particular interest in children’s sleep disorders. My current research focuses on understanding sleep related movement disorders, especially in children with chronic pulmonary conditions like cystic fibrosis. My research aims to improve the identification of these conditions using objective measures and to better understand their clinical implications. 

2. What criteria do you consider most important when evaluating a manuscript?
I focus on scientific rigor, clinical relevance, and clarity. I also consider whether the methods are transparent and reproducible, if the results are presented clearly, and if the conclusions are well supported by the data. 

3. How do you view the role of a reviewer in shaping the quality and integrity of newly submitted research? What are your thoughts on the use of AI tools in the academic publishing industry, and what are your recommendations for ensuring quality control in the future?
Reviewers play an essential role in maintaining the quality, credibility and integrity of scientific research. They not only evaluate manuscripts for accuracy and ethics but also help authors strengthen their work through constructive feedback. AI tools may be useful for tasks such as language support and preliminary screening, but they cannot replace human expertise, critical thinking, and ethical judgement. 

4. What advice would you give to early career researchers who want to become strong peer reviewers, or do you have any suggestions for the current peer-review process? Would you like to recommend that more scholars join us as reviewers to promote the scientific quality of peer review?
I would suggest developing a structured approach when reviewing manuscripts, focusing on constructive feedback, staying within your area of expertise, and keeping up with the current literature. 

To continue helping the journal improve the peer-review process, the Editorial office encourages scholars related to Children (ISSN: 2227-9067) to join us via the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/reviewers. 

Children Editorial Office

We are excited to announce the 1st International Online Conference on Children’s Health, chaired by Prof. Dr. Paul R. Carney (Departments of Child Health and Neurology, University of Missouri, Columbia, USA), which will take place virtually from 17 to 19 November 2026.

The “Neurology, Neurodevelopmental and Metabolic Disorders” Section is chaired by Prof. Bianca Weinstock-Guttman (Dept. of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Buffalo, New York, USA).

We welcome researchers from academic institutions and professionals in neurology, neurodevelopmental and metabolic disorders, or adjacent industries, to attend the conference and share their novel findings, scientific ideas, and practical research.

Important dates:
Deadline for abstract submission: 17 July 2026;
Notification of acceptance: 18 August 2026;
Registration deadline: 12 November 2026.

Information for authors:
Please submit your abstract at the following webpage: https://sciforum.net/user/submission/create/1087.

Please register for this event at https://sciforum.net/event/IOCCH2026?subscribe&section=#registration.

For further information please click here.

For any enquiries regarding this event, please contact us at iocch2026@mdpi.com.

We look forward to seeing you at the 1st International Online Conference on Children’s Health.

To thank our reviewers, the Children (ISSN: 2227-9067) Editorial Office will announce our Exceptional Reviewers each month. You can get the award list here: https://www.mdpi.com/about/announcements/15639

We wish to congratulate Dr. Catarina Inês Costa Afonso (Santarém School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of Santarém) for making it on this list. In an interview, she shared some professional opinions about the current peer-review process.

The following is the interview transcript with Dr. Catarina Inês Costa Afonso:

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself and your current research topic, as well as the importance of your research area in promoting children's health?
I am a Nurse Researcher and Assistant Professor with a background in community health, mental health, and informal caregiving. My research focuses on lived experience, person-centred care, and the development of multidimensional, evidence-based interventions, particularly among vulnerable populations. Although my primary focus is on informal caregivers and family health, my work is intrinsically linked to the promotion of health across the life course, including children, as family environments play a critical role in shaping health behaviours, emotional development, and resilience.

2. What criteria do you consider most important when evaluating a manuscript?
When evaluating a manuscript, I consider several key aspects: the clarity and relevance of the research question; the coherence between objectives, methodology, and conclusions; the rigour and transparency of the methodological approach; the ethical integrity of the study, including ethical approval and informed consent; and the originality and contribution to the field. I also value clear and structured writing as well as the authors’ ability to position their work within the existing scientific literature.

3. How do you view the role of a reviewer in shaping the quality and integrity of newly submitted research? What are your thoughts on the use of AI tools in the academic publishing industry, and what are your recommendations for ensuring quality control in the future?
Reviewers play a fundamental role in ensuring the scientific quality, credibility, and integrity of published research. Beyond evaluation, they contribute to improving manuscripts by providing constructive, critical, and developmental feedback.
Regarding AI tools, I believe they can support certain aspects, such as language refinement or preliminary screening. However, they should not replace critical thinking, ethical judgement, and methodological expertise. Maintaining human oversight and ensuring transparency in the use of AI are essential to safeguard scientific quality.

4. What advice would you give to early career researchers who want to become strong peer reviewers? Or any suggestions for the current peer-review process? Would you like to recommend that more scholars join us as reviewers to promote the scientific quality of peer review？
For early career researchers, I would recommend approaching peer review as a valuable learning opportunity. Critically reviewing manuscripts helps to strengthen methodological awareness, scientific writing skills, and understanding of research quality. It is essential to provide constructive, respectful, and clear feedback, focusing on how the work can be improved rather than solely identifying limitations.

To continue helping the journal improve its peer review process, the office encourages scholars in fields related to children’s health to join us as peer reviewers via the link here.

Children Editorial Office

We are delighted to announce that nominations are now open for the 2026 Tu Youyou Award. Named after Nobel Laureate Tu Youyou, whose discovery of artemisinin has saved millions of lives, this award recognizes researchers whose work advances the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry, while also contributing to human health.

Prize

– CHF 100,000;
– A medal;
– A certificate.

The monetary prize will be shared equally should there be multiple recipients.

Who May Be Nominated?

– Scientists with outstanding achievements and contributions in the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

Nominees must be individuals; team or group nominations are not permitted. Nominations are valid only for the current award cycle.

Who May Submit a Nomination?

– The director of the nominee’s host research institution or recognized scientists within the field.

Self-nominations will not be considered.

Nomination Materials

– A biographical sketch;
– A detailed description of the nominee’s contributions;
– 5–10 representative academic publications;
– A list of academic honors, awards, and funded projects;
– A nomination letter signed by two nominators.

How to Submit?

Submit nominations online via the following link: https://tuyouyouprize.org/nomination

Important Dates

– Nomination Deadline: 31 October 2026
– Winner Announcement: March 2027

For further information, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website (https://tuyouyouprize.org/). For any inquiries, please contact the Tu Youyou Award Team at tuyouyouaward@mdpi.com.

We are excited to announce the 1st International Online Conference on Children’s Health, chaired by Prof. Dr. Paul R. Carney (Departments of Child Health and Neurology, University of Missouri, Columbia, USA), which will take place virtually from 17 to 19 November 2026.

The Neonatology Session is chaired by Dr. Lin Hungchih (Division of Neonatology, China Medical University Children’s Hospital, China Medical University, Taiwan, Asia University Hospital, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan).

Neonatology Session Objectives: From antenatal neuroprotection to postnatal lung protection: implementing a bundled pathway to reduce severe IVH, BPD, sepsis, and HIE—comparing effectiveness, feasibility, and equity in HIC vs LMIC settings.

We welcome researchers from academic institutions and professionals in these fields and share their novel findings, scientific ideas, and practical research.

The topic primarily focuses on four neonatal diseases:

• Severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH);
• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD);
• Sepsis;
• Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

Important dates:

Deadline for abstract submission: 17 July 2026;

Notification of acceptance: 18 August 2026;

Registration deadline: 12 November 2026.

Information for authors:

Please submit your abstract at the following webpage: https://sciforum.net/user/submission/create/1087.

Please register for this event at https://sciforum.net/event/IOCCH2026?subscribe&section=#registration.

Please refer to https://sciforum.net/event/IOCCH2026?subscribe&section=#session4033 for further information.

For any enquiries regarding this event, please contact us at iocch2026@mdpi.com.

We look forward to seeing you at the 1st International Online Conference on Children's Health.