Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's Fellow Research Series 2018: Manuscripts of the Year

In this editorial, we feature the three best manuscripts published as part of the American Journal of Perinatology (AJP), Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) Fellows Research Series in 2018. These manuscripts were selected based on excellent research methodology, innovation, and potential for clinical impact. We are indebted to AJP for highlighting research performed by MFM fellows. This is an incredibly important service since young investigators are critical to the long-term improvement of the health of mothers and babies. Sadly, there are barriers to the development and growth of young investigators including increasing competition for limited journal space. Although there are over 50 journals focusing on reproductive health, most include a variety of subjects unrelated to maternal-fetal medicine, such as assisted reproductive technology or gynecology. Many of these journals accept fewer than 10% of the manuscripts submitted, many of which are written by large teams of experienced and well-funded investigators. Accordingly, it is increasingly difficult for trainees with limited time, experience, and resources to publish studies accomplished during fellowship. AJP provides an opportunity for such fellows to showcase their work. Manuscripts submitted for the AJP SMFM Fellows Research Series are reviewed by the SMFM Fellowship Affairs Committee, which also makes the editorial decisions. As exemplified by the awarded papers, these publications tend to focus on topics of interest and relevance to practicing maternal-fetal medicine physicians and perinatal investigators. We were delighted about the large number of outstanding fellows' papers that were published this year in AJP. Although it was extremely hard to choose only three, we sincerely hope that it is going to be even more difficult next year as more fellows will submit their excellent work to the AJP SMFM Fellows Research Series.

• References

• 1 Wood SL, Owen J, Jenkins SM, Harper LM. The utility of repeat midtrimester anatomy ultrasound for anomaly detection. Am J Perinatol 2018; 35 (14) 1346-1351
• 2 Haragan A, Himes K. Accuracy of ultrasound estimated fetal weight in small for gestational age and appropriate for gestational age grown periviable neonates. Am J Perinatol 2018; 35 (08) 703-706
• 3 Hauspurg A, Lemon LS, Serra AE, Sharma S, Venkataramanan R, Caritis SN. Impact of obesity on the rate of recurrent spontaneous preterm birth in women treated with 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate. Am J Perinatol 2018; 35 (09) 809-814