Global Research Trends in Pediatric Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction: A Bibliometric Analysis (1945-2026)

Background/Objectives: Pediatric lower urinary tract symptoms and bladder-bowel dysfunction are common and clinically related problems recognized within the ICCS framework, but no bibliometric study has previously mapped this broad field comprehensively. This study aimed to map the global structure, thematic evolution, and emerging research trends in pediatric lower urinary tract dysfunction using bibliometric methods. Methods: A total of 3004 publications published between 1945 and May 2026 and retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection were analyzed. Keyword co-occurrence networks, country co-authorship networks, and document citation networks were constructed using VOSviewer (version 1.6.20)). Results: Annual publication counts first exceeded 100 in 2013 and remained largely at or above this level thereafter, peaking at 135 in 2020, with a subsequent plateau. The USA (26.1%), Turkiye (10.5%), and the United Kingdom (6.5%) were the most productive countries. Harvard University led institutional output (n = 131). Keyword network analysis identified 15 clusters, the most coherent of which centered on enuresis pathophysiology/pharmacology, overactive bladder treatment, sleep medicine, and core urinary and bowel symptoms. Overlay visualization identified artificial intelligence (~2024), telemedicine (~2022), and autism spectrum disorder (~2021) as the most recent emerging research themes. Conclusions: This is the first bibliometric analysis to map global pediatric lower urinary tract dysfunction research across the broader field. Artificial intelligence, telemedicine, and autism spectrum disorder emerged as the most recent research themes, while substantial geographic gaps remained in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.