Global trends in pediatric craniofacial growth and airway physiology research: insights from a five-year bibliometric analysis
SLEEP AND BREATHING, cilt.30, sa.30, ss.155-163, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 30 Sayı: 30
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s11325-026-03702-2
- Dergi Adı: SLEEP AND BREATHING
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus, Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), EMBASE, MEDLINE
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.155-163
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Yozgat Bozok Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Abstract
Objective Research linking pediatric craniofacial growth, airway physiology, and sleep-disordered breathing has expanded rapidly in recent years. However, a structured overview of global research trends in this interdisciplinary field remains lim- ited. This study aimed to map publication patterns, international collaboration networks, and evolving thematic structures in pediatric craniofacial growth and airway research between 2020 and 2024.
Methods A bibliometric analysis was conducted using records retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Original research articles and reviews published between 2020 and 2024 were included. Annual publication trends, international collaboration networks, keyword co-occurrence, and thematic evolution were analyzed using Bibliometrix and VOSviewer. Results A total of 1214 publications were included. Annual output showed a positive but non-significant upward trend over time. China, Italy, and the United States were the most productive countries, with the United States also occupying a central position in the international collaboration network. Keyword mapping revealed major thematic clusters related to airway function and OSA, craniofacial growth, congenital anomalies, surgical adaptation, and three-dimensional imaging. Thematic evolution analysis demonstrated a shift from broadly anatomical growth-focused research toward clinically oriented and disease-specific topics in the later years of the study period.
Conclusions Contemporarypediatriccraniofacialresearchischaracterizedbyexpandingglobalcollaborationandaprogres- sive shift toward integrative physiologic and clinically focused frameworks linking dentofacial development with respiratory function. These findings highlight clinical priorities and may inform future interdisciplinary research directions in pediatric airway management and growth-related orthodontics.