BACKGROUND

To assess an overview of research trends, influential studies, and collaborative networks in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (PARDS), identifying key contributions and insights for future research directions.

METHODS

Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database was used to conduct the bibliometric analysis. Bibliometric indicators such as publication counts, citation frequencies, authors, countries/regions, institutions and keyword occurrences were analyzed using VOSviewer and CiteSpace and R.

RESULTS

The analysis included 419 publications from 2014 to 2024, with a total of 88,849 citations. These publications involved 22,141 authors affiliated with various institutions worldwide. the United States leading in research output, contributing 1,124 articles and 24,421 citations. Leading institutions included the University of Pennsylvania, the University of California System, and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The most influential journals were Pediatric Critical Care Medicine and Critical Care Medicine. Yehya N, Thomas NJ, and Khemani RG are the most contributed authors. Keyword co-occurrence analysis revealed five major research clusters: neonatal outcomes, critical care strategies (e.g., mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation [ECMO]), inflammation and immune mechanisms, respiratory support interventions, and diagnostic tools like lung ultrasound. Emerging trends focused on inflammation, molecular mechanisms, and diagnostic advancements.

CONCLUSION

This study presents a bibliometric analysis of PARDS research, highlighting significant trends, influential studies, and collaborative networks. The findings provide valuable insights into the current state of research and future directions for advancements, emphasizing the need for continued investigation to improve clinical outcomes for children with ARDS.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

Not applicable.