Global Research Trends in Preeclampsia Screening and Early Diagnosis: A Bibliometric Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26911/jepublichealth.2026.11.03.12Abstract
Background: Preeclampsia remains a major cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, while research on biomarkers, screening strategies, and early diagnostic approaches has increased substantially. However, a comprehensive understanding of global research trends and emerging hotspots in preeclampsia screening and early diagnosis remains limited, prompting this study to analyze these trends using bibliometric analysis.
Subjects and Method: This was a descriptive bibliometric study conducted using the Scopus database. The target population consisted of publications related to preeclampsia screening and early diagnosis published between 2020 and 2026. Documents were identified using keywords related to preeclampsia, screening, prediction, and early diagnosis. Of 3,105 retrieved records, 882 English-language articles and reviews meeting the eligibility criteria were included in the analysis. The variables analyzed included annual scientific production, citation performance, source journals, authorship characteristics, institutional contributions, country productivity, keyword occurrence, and thematic evolution. Data were analyzed using R programming and VOSviewer.
Results: Research on preeclampsia screening and early diagnosis increased substantially during the study period and reached its highest productivity in 2025. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth was the most productive journal, while the 2021 ISSHP guideline on hypertension in pregnancy was the most globally cited document. The University of Oxford was the leading institutional contributor. Thematic and keyword analyses showed growing attention to biomarkers, placenta, prenatal diagnosis, and predictive models. Five major research clusters were identified, covering maternal risk factors, molecular biomarkers, screening and diagnostic methods, clinical and laboratory parameters, and predictive models. Bioinformatics and messenger RNA emerged as developing research themes.
Conclusion: Research on preeclampsia screening has shifted toward biomarker-based prediction and molecular diagnostic approaches, reflecting the growing emphasis on early detection strategies. This bibliometric study provides a comprehensive overview of global research trends, emerging hotspots, and research gaps that may guide future investigations, strengthen biomarker based screening strategies, and foster international collaboration to improve maternal healthcare.
Keywords:
preeclampsia, early diagnosis, biomarkers, bibliometric analysis, research trendsHow to Cite
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