Global Trends and Research Hotspots in Human Milk Research for Preterm Infants A Bibliometric Analysis.

Authors

Meltem Özkaya

Published in

Advances in neonatal care : official journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses. Oct 19, 2026. Epub Oct 19, 2026.

Abstract

Human milk plays a critical role in improving survival and health outcomes in preterm infants, making it a key focus of clinical and scientific research.
This study aimed to examine trends in scientific output, thematic development, and international collaboration networks in research on human milk in preterm infants using bibliometric analysis.
A bibliometric analysis was conducted using data retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection and PubMed databases between February and March 2026. Data were analyzed using the Bibliometrix package and Biblioshiny interface in RStudio. Analyses included annual scientific output, citation analysis, logistic growth modeling, Bradford's and Lotka's laws, keyword trends, conceptual structure, and collaboration networks.
The analyzed studies were published between 1977 and 2026, showing an annual growth rate of 4.34%. A marked increase in publications was observed after 2011, with a peak in 2021. Bradford's Law identified Breastfeeding Medicine, Journal of Human Lactation, and Advances in Neonatal Care as the most productive journals. Meier P. was the most prolific author, with productivity consistent with Lotka's law. The United States had the highest scientific output, while low- and middle-income countries showed limited contribution. Keyword and conceptual analyses revealed a shift from general neonatal nutrition to more specialized topics such as human milk and lactation management in preterm infants.
These findings indicate that research on human milk in preterm infants is evolving toward a mature and clinically focused field, highlighting the need for high-quality, collaborative, and context-specific studies.

PMID:
42896069
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 20 Oct 2026.

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