Keywords
Fetal Diseases
Biomedical Research
Bibliometrics
Latin America
Categories
How to Cite
Abstract
Introduction: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a significant health issue in Latin America, associated with adverse maternal-fetal outcomes. However, there is a notable disparity in FGR research within the region, limiting the capacity to implement effective interventions. This study aimed to analyze, for the first time, the evolution and patterns of FGR research in Latin America over the past 50 years. Methods: A cross-sectional bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Scopus database to evaluate peer-reviewed articles focused on FGR, with at least one author affiliated with a Latin American institution. Results: A total of 864 articles on FGR in Latin America were identified. The majority of publications were original research articles (84.38%; n=729), followed by review articles (15.16%; n=131), with 31.6% involving international collaboration. Brazil and Chile were the leading contributors in terms of research output and impact. Trend analysis revealed an increase in publications since 2020, followed by a recent decline. The most frequently used keywords included preeclampsia and obstetric complications. An emerging trend in translational research, utilizing biological models to understand pathophysiology, was also observed. Conclusion: FGR research in Latin America is characterized by an uneven distribution across countries and a thematic focus on obstetric complications. Increased research capacity is needed in underrepresented countries to enable a more integrated and effective response to maternal-fetal health challenges in the region.
References
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Copyright (c) 2025 Alex Jair Ortiz-Bolaños, Javier Alfonso Ramirez-Vergara, Luz Ángela Beltrán-Moncada, Viviana Escobar-Marín, Estefanía Giraldo-Montoya, Laura Marcela Gamero-Lora , Michael Gregorio Ortega-Sierra