ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Pediatr.
Sec. Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Global Research Trends in Biliary Atresia-Related Liver Fibrosis: A Bibliometric Analysis (2000-2024)
Youcheng Zhang
Bing Li
Shunlin Xia
Ting Wang
Huaian Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Huaian, China, Jiangsu Province, 223002
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Abstract
Background: Biliary atresia (BA) is a severe neonatal liver disorder that can progress to liver fibrosis and eventual failure. This bibliometric study evaluates global research on BA-related liver fibrosis from 2000 to 2024, highlighting emerging trends and key contributions. Methods: Data were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection, focusing on original articles and reviews. Bibliometric tools were employed to assess publication trends, citation impact, and research collaboration. Results: A total of 589 publications were identified from 2000 to 2024. Publication output showed relative stability from 2000 to 2014 (223 publications), followed by a marked increase to 296 publications during 2015–2022, with continued growth in 2023 (39 publications) and 2024 (31 publications) (χ²(1) = 113.28, p < 0.001 for the 2000–2014 vs. 2015–2022 comparison). The leading contributors were China, the USA, and Japan. Notable institutions included Chulalongkorn University, Fudan University, and University of Cincinnati. Author analysis identified a small group of prolific researchers with high publication counts and H-indices, such as Yong Poovorawan (40 publications, H-index 12) and Michael Davenport (24 publications, H-index 15), indicating substantial research impact. Core journals in the field included Pediatric Surgery International, Journal of Pediatric Surgery, and Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, all of which demonstrated high publication volumes and impact factors. Keyword co-occurrence analysis revealed research clusters around pathogenesis, management, molecular mechanisms, non-invasive biomarkers, and imaging techniques. Co-citation analysis highlighted early diagnosis, surgical outcomes, and pathogenesis as central research themes. Future trends suggest a growing focus on non-invasive diagnostics, molecular mechanisms, and international collaboration, with keywords such as "pathogenesis," "outcome," "elasticity imaging techniques," and "shear wave elastography" showing citation bursts. Conclusion: Research on BA-related liver fibrosis has significantly increased, with key contributions from leading countries, institutions, and authors. Core journals have been instrumental in shaping the research discourse. This study provides valuable insights into current research trends and future directions, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing the understanding and treatment of BA-related liver fibrosis.
Summary
Keywords
Bibliometrics, Biliary Atresia, Citespa ce, liver fibrosis, Pediatrics
Received
16 December 2024
Accepted
17 February 2026
Copyright
© 2026 Zhang, Li, Xia and Wang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Ting Wang
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