Statement of Informed Consent
 

Patients have a right to privacy that should not be violated without informed consent. Identifying information, including patient names, initials, hospital numbers, photographs, videos, or other personal details, should not be published unless such information is essential for scientific purposes and the patient (or parent/legal guardian) has provided written informed consent for publication.

Authors are responsible for obtaining and retaining written informed consent from patients whose identifiable information is included in a manuscript. A statement confirming that informed consent has been obtained should be included in the manuscript where appropriate.

Authors should ensure that patients understand that their information may be published in print and online formats. If patients can be identified from descriptions, images, pedigrees, or other data, explicit written consent must be obtained before publication.

Non-essential identifying details should be omitted whenever possible to protect patient privacy. Complete anonymity may not always be guaranteed; therefore, informed consent should be obtained whenever there is uncertainty regarding patient identification.

If identifying characteristics are modified to protect anonymity, authors must ensure that such modifications do not alter or misrepresent the scientific content of the study.

The journal reserves the right to request copies of informed consent documentation during the editorial or peer-review process. However, such documents should not be submitted with the manuscript unless specifically requested by the editorial office.