Abstract Submission

1. Any researcher in the field of perinatal science is invited to submit their work.
2. At least one of the authors should be a member of the Neonatal Society. However the Meetings Secretary will usually sponsor any author who is unable to find sponsorship/introduction from a member of the Society.
3. If a non-member, or a junior, is presenting, the attendance of at least one of the senior authors on the paper is expected.
4. Travel bursaries are available to support researchers who would otherwise be unable to attend the Society’s meetings. These are aimed at young researchers still in training. The Society will pay the travel costs of young researchers who are presenting their work. For the summer meetings (including those abroad) travel costs will be reimbursed, but not the registration fees of the meeting (the autumn and spring meetings remain free of any registration charges). Receipts should be sent to the Treasurer after the meeting. For any further information contact the Treasurer or Secretary of the Society.

1. Should be succinct, in Microsoft Word format and fit onto one side of A4 paper. The Society requires that all abstracts be submitted using the structured abstract proforma. The text boxes are fixed in size and the default font is Arial size 10. Please do not alter the format of the structured proforma.
2. The presenting author’s name should be underlined. If none of the authors are Society members please provide the name of the member introducing the author to the Society in the format “introduced by [member’s name]”.
3. Authors’ addresses should be in short form stating the department and institution in which the work was carried out. The corresponding author’s e-mail address must also be included.
4. The abstract text should be structured to include:
   • title (upper case)
   • a background/introduction with a clearly described purpose and hypothesis.
   • methods including the experimental design, subjects and procedures used. Papers describing experimental models must state whether the study was completed in accordance with the appropriate national regulations. Confirmation of research ethics approval must be provided if relevant. Finding source should be declared.
   • results (non-informative phrases, such as “the results will be discussed” are not acceptable). Figures and tables can be pasted into the boxes.
   • conclusions – supported by the data presented.
   • references – any citations in the text should be supported by the relevant references (see below for reference format to be used). Acknowledgements should be stated in this section if relevant.
   • a single figure or a single small table can be included on a second page.
     
   • declarations – please complete the checkbox to confirm that:
     • all authors have approved the abstract
     • actual or potential conflicts of interest have been declared to the Meetings Secretary*
     • the abstract has not been presented before.

*A conflict of interest exists when professional judgment concerning a primary interest (such as the validity of research) may be influenced by a secondary interest (such as financial gain or personal rivalry). We believe that we should know about any conflicts of interest that authors may have, and that if we accept the abstract, readers should know about them too. We are not aiming to eradicate such interests; we will not reject an abstract simply because you have a conflict of interest, but we want you to make a declaration on whether or not you have competing interests. Specifically, and in line with International Committee of Medical Journal Editors unified disclosure form, please declare the following:

1. Associations with commercial entities that provided support for the work reported in the submitted manuscript (the timeframe for disclosure in this section of the form is the lifespan of the work being reported).
2. Associations with commercial entities that could be viewed as having an interest in the general area of the submitted manuscript (in the 36 months before submission of the manuscript)
3. Any non-financial associations that may be relevant or seen as relevant to the submitted manuscript.

1. Submit your abstract using the upload function no later than the published closing date.
2. Receipt of abstracts will be acknowledged by e-mail only.

1. Papers containing original hypothesis based research are preferred. In general the term ‘original research’ is taken to mean a study which involves novel observations in vivo or in vitro, including clinical trials and the development of new technologies.
2. Audit studies/reviews may be acceptable if of national interest or of exceptional quality.
3. A series of case reports, for example, describing a new condition or complication are acceptable
4. Large epidemiological studies are also acceptable.
5. The study should have been subjected to suitable statistical analysis and the presenting author should be conversant with how this was done and why specific tests were chosen.
6. The work must be unpublished at the time the abstract is submitted. However, if the paper is published between submission of the abstract and the meeting, this should be mentioned as part of the presentation.
7. Single case reports are not accepted
8. In general, one paper by each presenter is preferred at each meeting. However all abstracts will be judged on merit and it is possible to submit more than one abstract if the author so wishes. Rejected abstracts can be resubmitted for the next meeting whereupon it will be reconsidered against competing papers a second time
9. The selection for presentation is entirely at the discretion of the Meetings Secretary.

1. Facilities for PowerPoint projection of slides is provided (PC format using a CD or USB), Please inform the local organisers if you require any other visual aids (including use of Apple Mac). It is important to have clear slides which are visible from the back of the hall.
2. Papers must be spoken and not read.
3. Members introducing guests should ensure that they are familiar with the Society’s rules and should advise more junior speakers on style and the importance of good timekeeping.
4. All the data that is presented is expected to appear in the abstract.
5. In general not more than 6 slides should be shown in 10 minutes.
6. Reserve slides are not recommended.
7. Speakers should meet in the auditorium 15 minutes before the start of the session in order to familiarise themselves with the projection equipment and microphone. They should introduce themselves to the chairperson of the session in which they are presenting.
8. The chairperson of the session will ensure that questioning is appropriate and constructive.
9. Abstracts accepted for presentation may need revision before publication on this website.