Mapping Publication Trends and Research Hotspots in Perinatal Grief: A 45-Year Bibliometric Analysis

This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of perinatal grief literature, drawing on 964 articles published between 1981 and 2025 in the Web of Science Core Collection database. Using R-bibliometrix and VOSviewer, it explores conceptual evolution and structural dynamics, identifying leading authors, countries, journals, keywords, and co-citation networks. Findings reveal a marked increase in publications since 2018, with the United States leading in research output and international collaboration. Despite this growth, the field lacks author-level specialization. Recent studies have increasingly focused on the psychological well-being of families affected by perinatal loss. This analysis contributes to understanding global research patterns and highlights emerging directions for future interdisciplinary inquiry in the field of perinatal grief.