Investigating the global research landscape, barriers, and facilitators of scientific productivity in fetal membrane research

Abstract

Fetal membrane (FM; amniochorion) studies are an essential field of research for understanding their role during pregnancy maintenance and mechanisms associated with parturition. This paper determined the landscape and characteristics of published FM research, identified socioeconomic indicators related to FM research productivity and impact and proposed major studies using this tissue. A review of the literature about FM from 2000 to 2021 was performed using the Scopus database. Bibliometric information was obtained from Scopus, statistical analysis was conducted using GraphPad Prism, and network visualization was conducted using VOSviewer software. A total of 1131 articles were analyzed in this study. The number of publications in the past decade increased linearly. Most of the research outputs were produced by researchers from the United States of America (USA), followed by China and Australia. The most productive institutions were primarily from the USA and Australia. The current research trends based on keywords analysis were related to FM weakening, such as aging, bacterial infections and inflammations, biomechanical weakening, exosomes, immunomodulation, and sterile inflammation. Gross domestic product and the number of collaborations with other countries were the most significantly correlated indicators with increased scientific productivity and impact in FM research. We emphasize the need to increase investment and support to researchers doing FM studies, especially in developing countries. These will contribute to advancing this field and may help provide more evidence to control and manage pregnancy complications, such as preterm premature rupture of membranes and preterm birth.