A review of the Journal of Pediatrics: the first 75 years.

OBJECTIVE

To assess changes in the format and content of articles published in The Journal of Pediatrics to aid in understanding the current state of pediatric research and to anticipate what to expect in the coming years.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a retrospective review of case reports, research articles, and review articles published in volume 150 of The Journal. We noted components of study authorship, content, and design and compared these data with those in earlier volumes.

RESULTS

The numbers of authors and grants per article and the proportion of studies with international authorship have all increased. Print circulation has dropped, but The Journal is now available in electronic format. Research topics shifted, with fewer articles devoted to infectious disease and general pediatrics. An increase in articles about endocrinology reflects a surge of interest in pediatric obesity. Most articles contain original research, reporting analyses from observational studies with few clinical trials.

CONCLUSIONS

Recent trends suggest that readers of The Journal should expect more research articles with observational designs and increasing international authorship. The Journal's electronic presence will likely increase and provide greater readership globally.