Bibliometric analysis of research progress in pediatric intussusception from the Web of Science Core Collection over the past 15 years.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to systematically investigate the knowledge structure, historical trends, and emerging research frontiers in the domain of pediatric intussusception through bibliometric and visualization methods.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was performed in the Web of Science Core Collection to retrieve articles published from 2010 to 2024. VOSviewer and CiteSpace were utilized for bibliometric analysis, including co-occurrence networks, keyword clustering, and burst term detection. Additionally, the PubMed database was utilized to supplement and analyze clinical research trends in the field of intussusception.

RESULTS

After rigorous screening, a total of 993 relevant articles were included, contributed by 1580 institutions and 3702 authors (comprising both first and corresponding authors). The institution with the highest publication output was the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while the most prolific author was Professor Umesh D. Parashar, also from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The United States was the leading country in terms of publication volume, followed by China. These studies were published across 288 journals, with the Journal of Pediatric Surgery being the most prolific. Keyword clustering revealed 8 primary research themes: rotavirus vaccine, appendicitis, hydrostatic reduction, double-blind, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, epidemiology, small bowel intussusception, and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Clinical research on intussusception is predominantly composed of retrospective cohort studies (33.1%), followed by randomized controlled trials (26.3%). Key research focuses include intussusception treatment, management, diagnosis, and safety evaluation of rotavirus vaccines.

CONCLUSION

This study provides a comprehensive overview of pediatric intussusception research over the past 15 years, highlighting a shift in focus from basic clinical observations to evidence-based practices and precision medicine. Future research should prioritize interdisciplinary collaboration, the development of personalized treatment strategies, and the integration of basic and clinical research.