Bibliometric perspectives on inflammatory and immunological research in pediatric asthma

Pediatric bronchial asthma, a prevalent chronic inflammatory respiratory disease, significantly affects children globally. However, bibliometric analyses focused on its inflammatory and immunological aspects are limited. This study aims to provide an overview of the field, identify key focus areas, and predict emerging trends.

We collected and analyzed relevant literature published from January 1, 2000, to May 31, 2024, from the Web of Science Core Collection. Collaborative network analysis was conducted using CiteSpace 5.8.R3, VOSviewer 1.6.20, and Bibliometrix.

A total of 911 papers were retrieved, showing growth in research output since 2006, with the United States leading in publications. The University of Western Australia ranks first in publication count, while the University of Wisconsin-Madison has the highest average citations per paper. Among 5,059 authors, 146 core authors contributed to 592 articles, accounting for 64.98% of total publications, with Anne M. Fitzpatrick as the leading author. The journal "Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Reviews" is the most influential, and "asthma" is the most cited keyword. Co-citation analysis reveals 20 keyword clusters, with hotspots including "efficacy" and "allergic rhinitis." The most cited paper is by D. P. Strachan in the "British Medical Journal."

This study reveals a significant increase in pediatric asthma research from 2000 to 2024, with the U.S. leading in scholarly contributions. Key findings highlight allergic airway inflammation and type 2 inflammation as primary mechanisms underlying the disease. Inhaled corticosteroids and biologics are identified as effective treatments. These insights emphasize the importance of global collaboration and ongoing research efforts to advance understanding of pathogenic mechanisms and clinical management in pediatric asthma patients.