Global research trends on maxillofacial injuries in children from 2004 to 2024: a visual analysis based on CiteSpace

Maxillofacial injuries affect 1% to 14% of children under 16 years and 0.87% to 1% of those under 5 years old, significantly impacting quality of life and posing challenges in prevention and treatment. Using CiteSpace 6.4.R1, we analyzed 1018 English-language publications from the Web of Science Core Collection (2004–2024) to identify research trends and collaboration patterns. The literature contributed by 4270 authors from 2651 institutions in 330 countries/regions, clusters into three domains: maxillofacial fractures, etiology-specific injuries, and socioeconomic/epidemiological factors. Highly cited articles included those by Grunwaldt L (2011), Andrew TW (2019), and Wymann NME (2008). Prominent highly cited authors were Haug Rh and Gassner R. The journals with the highest co-citation frequency were the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Findings indicate accelerated growth yet fragmented global collaboration in pediatric maxillofacial injury research, dominated by the United States. The research priorities include epidemiology, clinical management, and socioeconomic determinants; emerging frontiers focus on dynamic risk quantification, minimally invasive fixation, and policy impact assessment. Consequently, future work requires enhanced global synergy and personalized prevention strategies.

Maxillofacial injuries; Facial injuries; Children; Pediatrics; Epidemiologic factors

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