Global Trends in Using Different Types of Child Growth Charts in Published Articles (2007-2022): A Bibliometric...

Growth charts are essential for monitoring child growth. The availability of multiple international and national charts, along with increasing interest in locally developed references, may have influenced global trends in their application. This study aimed to describe global trends in the use of national versus international child growth charts, with a focus on prevailing research themes, chart types, and variations across regions and time periods. We conducted a bibliometric analysis and scoping review of studies on child growth charts published between January 1, 2007, and October 25, 2022, in PubMed and Scopus. The search used the primary key words "child," "growth chart," and "nutritional status" in titles and abstracts. Bibliometric analysis with VOSviewer (Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands) mapped research themes and key word co-occurrence, while the scoping review synthesized evidence on the use of various growth chart types across regions and time periods, following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. From 3014 identified articles across 120 countries, 975 were included in the review. Key word network analysis revealed "childhood obesity" as a dominant theme in nutrition research related to growth charts. Most studies originated from China, India, and the United States, with limited representation from Africa. International charts remained predominant, with 83.6% of studies using the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), World Health Organization (WHO) 2006, WHO 2007, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2000 references. However, a growing trend toward the development and use of national growth charts was observed in approximately 47 countries, particularly in the past decade. Childhood obesity has emerged as a central focus of research using growth charts. Although international charts continue to be the most widely applied, there is an increasing tendency toward national chart development and utilization. Further studies are needed to assess how national growth charts compare with international standards in evaluating children's nutritional status.