Mapping the Landscape of Brachial Plexus Birth Injury Research: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Study

Abstract

Brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) is a relatively common condition that poses a significant challenge to children who endure functional impairments later on. This comprehensive bibliometric analysis sought to quantitatively evaluate the existing literature on BPBI, shedding light on authorship, collaboration, publication trends, and keyword analysis to both inform the medical community and foster future research growth. A thorough search of the Web of Science database yielded 712 relevant documents published between 1986 and 2022. The analysis utilized Biblioshiny (K-Synth Srl, Naples, Italy) for bibliometric data, alongside VOSviewer (Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University, The Netherlands) and TextRazor (TextRazor Ltd., London, UK) for keyword categorization. The literature had an average annual growth rate of 7.94%, with an average document age of 12 years. Collaborative efforts demonstrated 9.6% international co-authorship, with the United States prominently leading global collaborations. Top producing authors included Yang, Kozin, and Clarke, while the most cited authors were Clarke, Waters, and Curtis. Journals such as the Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery emerged as key contributors to the literature. Keyword analysis illuminated prevalent categories like "society" and "health," underscoring the multifaceted nature of BPBI research. The findings from this bibliometric analysis highlight the dynamic and collaborative landscape of BPBI research, emphasizing the pressing need for continued contributions to address existing gaps in knowledge, enhance global collaboration, and advance the understanding and treatment of this complex condition. Beyond quantitative metrics, this study holds particular significance in its role as a compass for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers invested in BPBI. By offering insights into influential authors, institutions, and emerging trends, this analysis serves as a valuable resource, guiding future research endeavors, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and ultimately contributing to improved outcomes for individuals affected by BPBI. The importance of this study lies not only in its informative content but also in its potential to catalyze a collective effort toward refining treatment modalities, promoting preventative measures, and enhancing the overall quality of care for those navigating the challenges of BPBI.

Keywords: bibliometric analyis; bibliometric visualization; brachial plexus birth injury; brachial plexus injury; peripheral nerves.

Figure 1. PRISMA flow diagram

PRISMA: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses

Figure 2. Brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) publications over time

Trends in BPBI publication rates over time. The rate at which the literature has risen was 7.94% as per Biblioshiny calculations.

Figure 3. VOSviewer co-authorship network

Visual representation of co-authorship networks and author overlap within the field visualized by the VOSviewer program. Larger nodes correlate to higher publication rates and thicker connecting lines correlate with greater overlap between authors.

Figure 4. Country collaboration and scientific production

Country collaboration and country scientific production heat map. The red lines indicate authorship crossover between different countries on publications. The darker hues of the heat map correlate to higher publication rates. The color grey indicates that no publications were extracted from that location.

Figure 5. Most locally cited authors

These are the most cited authors as returned by Biblioshiny. Local cited authors are the authors who have been cited by the other authors in this literature review. This metric is confined to the citations authors in this study received by other authors included in this study.

Figure 6. Top country production over time

Country publication rates over time indicate the growth within the field and within a country specifically. Beginning in 1986 until the end of 2022, these five countries have had the greatest rise in publication rates over time. The United States had the sharpest rise among these countries.

Figure 7. Keyword analysis and categorization

Keyword analysis identified these groups and subgroup categorizations within the Brachial Plexus Birth Injury (BPBI) literature. Under BPBI falls health and society, which are then further subdivided within the literature. These specific topics of literature emphasize the importance of treatment modalities, the population affected by BPBI, and other key factors in the field.