Environmental Toxicants and Preterm Birth: A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends and Output

Manuel S. Vidal, Ramkumar Menon, Gracia Fe B. Yu and Melissa D. Amosco
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Manuel S. Vidal: College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila 1000, Philippines
Ramkumar Menon: Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
Gracia Fe B. Yu: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila 1000, Philippines
Melissa D. Amosco: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila 1000, Philippines

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 5, 1-12

Abstract: Preterm birth remains a problem globally, as multiple factors contribute to its etiology and pathogenesis. One such factor is the exposure to environmental toxicants, in which recent literature has described contributory roles in disease progression. This study aims to show research trends and collaborations in papers related to environmental toxicants and preterm birth through a bibliometric analysis to determine hot spots for research as well as to identify already established themes that can point to policy making and development. Using the Scopus database, we were able to identify 956 original research articles from 72 countries between 1955 and 2021; bibliographic information was exported, analyzed, and visualized using Bibliometrix and VOSviewer. There was an annual growth of research and reporting in this area, which significantly increased within the last two decades. The top countries that have published on this topic include the USA ( n = 343), China ( n = 103), and Australia ( n = 43), with strong international collaboration in reports from China. Top journals for publication include Environmental Research ( n = 53), Environmental Health Perspectives ( n = 47), and Environment International ( n = 46). Previous literature focused on establishing toxicants that are significantly associated with preterm birth, with current research focusing on molecular mechanisms of environmental toxicants. Overall, our bibliometric analysis gives a scoping view of the existing research landscape in terms of environmental health and preterm birth.

Keywords: bibliometrics; environmental toxicants; pollution; preterm birth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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