Global research on NK cells in miscarriage: a bibliometric study

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Immunology
• Cellular Biology
• Immunology

Background:

• Natural Killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in reproductive outcomes.
• Miscarriage is a significant concern in reproductive health.
• Understanding the interplay between NK cells and miscarriage is vital.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the evolution and trends in scientific publications on natural killer (NK) cells and miscarriage.
• To identify current research hotspots and frontiers in this field.
• To provide a bibliometric overview for future research.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric analysis of 1,275 articles from the Web of Science Core Collection (1981-2023).
• Utilized VOSviewer and CiteSpace for analyzing publication data, countries, institutions, journals, authors, and keywords.
• Keyword burst analysis to identify emerging research trends.

Main Results:

• Publication output showed steady growth, peaking in 2020, with citations peaking in 2022.
• The United States led in publications and h-index.
• The American Journal of Reproductive Immunology was the most prolific journal.
• Key research areas include the immune system and cytotoxicity receptors.

Conclusions:

• This is the first bibliometric study to comprehensively map the research landscape of NK cells and miscarriage.
• Identifies current research frontiers and emerging directions.
• Serves as a valuable reference for future investigations in reproductive immunology and miscarriage research.