ArticleSICOT-J2026
Global research trends in pediatric bone and joint infections: A 50-year bibliometric analysis (1976-2025).
Article in SICOT-J, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundPediatric bone and joint infections (PBJI) remain a major cause of morbidity in children, with evolving trends in epidemiology, diagnostics, and management. A comprehensive understanding of the global research landscape is essential to identify influential contributions, collaboration patterns, and thematic priorities. This study aimed to perform a bibliometric analysis of PBJI research to map productivity, impact, and knowledge structure.
methodsA systematic literature search was conducted in a major bibliographic database to retrieve PBJI-related publications from 1976 to 2025. Bibliometric indicators including total publications (TP), total citations (TC), citations per paper (CPP), relative citation index (RCI), highly cited papers (HCPs), and international collaborative papers (ICPs) were analyzed. Network analyses of keywords, authors, institutions, countries, and journals were performed using VOSviewer to assess collaboration patterns and research themes.
resultsA total of 1,556 publications were identified. Journal articles dominated output (82.4%), while reviews showed higher impact (CPP 31.67; RCI 1.90). English-language papers accounted for 89.1% of publications and 97.5% of citations, including all 28 HCPs. Research output and impact were concentrated in a few high-income countries, led by the USA and the UK. Citation distribution was highly skewed, with 18.4% uncited papers and only 6.3% of publications receiving more than 50 citations. Keyword analysis revealed four major thematic clusters centered on osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, pathogens (especially Staphylococcus aureus), diagnostics, and treatment. Collaboration networks were selective and fragmented, with a small core of influential authors and institutions.
conclusionPBJI research is a mature but uneven field, driven by a limited number of high-impact contributors and focused clinical themes. Strengthening international collaboration and improving visibility of research from underrepresented regions are critical for balanced global advancement.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.