Bibliometric Analysis on Global Analgesia in Labor from 2002 to 2021

Abstract

Background

Maternal pain during labor is one of the most important factors contributing to increased cesarean delivery rates and poor pregnancy outcomes, and this pain can be managed by labor analgesia. Many studies exist on labor analgesia, and the quantity and quality of these studies have not been reported. Therefore, we aimed to perform a bibliometric analysis of studies from 2002 to 2021.

Methods

We used the Web of Science database to obtain publications related to labor analgesia from January 2002 to December 2021. Various bibliographic information was collected, including country; author; journal; grant; discipline; institution and research hotspot. A total of 4536 papers were included.

Results

A total of 4536 articles were included in the study. The country with the most published articles on labor analgesia and the country of the funding agency was the United States. Most articles were published in the disciplines Anesthesiology and Obstetrics & Gynecology. The journal that published the most articles in this category was International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia. In addition, we found different research hotspots for labor analgesia in the United States, Japan, and China.

Conclusion

This paper provides a bibliometric analysis of research on labor analgesia and highlights the differences in research hotspots for labor analgesia between countries.

Keywords:

• labor analgesia
• bibliometric analysis
• hotspots

Author Contributions

Kang Yu and Zhigang Ding sre co-first authors. All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

Additional information

Funding

All the authors declare no financial support.