Analysis on development of craniocerebral ultrasound in Chinese neonates based on bibliometric method

Objective To summarize the current situation and trend of craniocerebral ultrasound in neonatology by analyzing the literature characteristics of neonatal craniocerebral ultrasound in China.

Methods Literatures on craniocerebral ultrasound collected in the National CNKI database from Jan 1^st 1980 to Dec 30^th, 2022 were retrieved. Bibliometric method and visual analysis method were used to conduct statistical and interactive analysis on number of publications, authors, institutions, journals, subject terms and other parameters.

Results Totally 686 literatures were involved and the annual number of literatures output showed an overall upward trend, with a rapid increase after 2005, and highly citation since 2010. Academic research was relatively concentrated. The top three institutions with more publications were Peking University First Hospital, Xinhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Bethune International Peace Hospital of the PLA, and the top 20 hospitals were all tertiary grade A hospitals. The domestic research cooperation were mainly focused on 6 − 10 teams. Researcher interaction was limited to a single center, and lacked of multi-center and large-sample clinical studies. The top three journals with more pulications were Chinese Journal of Ultrasound Medicine, Image Research and Medical Application, and Journal of Clinical Ultrasound Medicine. Among the top 10 journals, ultrasound image and maternal and child periodicals accounted for half, respectively. The research of craniocerebral ultrasound mainly focused on screening, diagnosis and assessment of brain development of high-risk newborn intracranial diseases. Ultrasound image and spectrum characteristics, localization technology and perinatal risk factors were also important researchdirections.

Conclusion The research and application of neonatal craniocerebral ultrasound have developed rapidly in China, but superior resources are relatively concentrated. Strengthening in-depth research, promotion and application of technology, encouraging multidisciplinary and multi-center collaboration are conducive to deepening the understanding of neonatal craniocerebral diseases and promoting discipline development and technological progress, which are of great importance to improve the prognosis of high-risk neonatal brain injury.