Visualizing the Research Hotspots and Emerging Trends in Neural Tube Defects: A Review

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the second most common serious birth defects (1), including anencephalia, encephalocele, rachischisis, et al. affecting approximately 0.2-10 per 1000 established pregnancies in worldwide (1). They result from failure of the neurulation process and constitute a major cause of still birth, and infant death, which remains a major public health burden in developing country (especially in rural areas)(2-4), although the prevalence of NTDs decreased in high-income countries (5, 6). Research about the NTDs has achieved tremendous progress over the last 50 years, which has been the subject of a variety of publications, including epidemiologic studies, clinical reports, and systematic review. However, the scientometric profile and the emerging trends in NTDs are still unknown. Scientometric studies are important to make comprehensive evaluation of the development of certain research fields. In recent years, document co-citation Abstract Background: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the second most common serious birth defects and constitute a major cause of infant death. Research about NTDs has achieved tremendous progress over the last 50 years. Methods: Visualization analysis has been used to explore the hot topic and their emerging trends in NTDs research domain. The scientific literature of research for NTDs has been retrieved from Web of ScienceTM Core Collection (1966–2014) databases, and final acquire 9125 related bibliographic records, then analyze time trend, distribution of journals, hot keywords, and try to explore the hot topic and their emerging trends in NTDs research domain using Histcite and CiteSpace. Results: The number of publications about NTDs have shown an increased tendency over the last 50 years although there was on a slight decline. Birth Defects Research Part A published the most articles on NTDs research, followed by Lance and Teratology, and the Lancet had the greatest number of total citations. The largest cited frequency keywords was the “Folate”, followed by “Pregnancy”, “Prevention”, and “Spina bifida”. The research hotspots in NTDs research were homocysteine, anencephaly, and screening. Conclusion: With the help of visualization analysis, we explore a quantitative and efficient way of understanding the NTDs knowledge field.