A Bibliometric Analysis of Pediatric Fracture Research Published in Journals Indexed in the ULAKBİM TR Index.

Abstract

Objective: Pediatric fractures are among the most common traumas in childhood and constitute an important public health issue. Although bibliometric studies in this field have recently appeared in the international literature, a comprehensive national-level evaluation is lacking in Türkiye. The aim of this study is to perform a bibliometric analysis of pediatric fracture research published in journals indexed in the ULAKBİM TR Index, and to examine publication characteristics, thematic trends, and interdisciplinary collaboration patterns within this indexing system.

Methods: A search was conducted in ULAKBİM TR Index database on August 15, 2025, using the keywords "çocuk" (child) "pediatrik" (pediatric), "kırık" (fracture), and "fracture." All publications containing these terms in their title or abstract were included. Bibliographic data such as year of publication, journal, authors, institutions, keywords, and citation counts were analyzed. In addition, keyword cooccurrence networks and interdisciplinary collaboration networks were generated.

Results: A total of 166 articles were evaluated. The highest number of publications appeared in Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica (17.5%) and Turkish Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery (10.2%). Institutional contributions predominantly originated from training and research hospitals affiliated with the Ministry of Health (59.6%). In keyword analysis, "child" (50), "surgery" (37), "method" (14), and "radiography" (11) were the most frequently used terms. In the interdisciplinary collaboration network, the strongest connections were observed between Orthopedics and Traumatology and Emergency Medicine, while contributions from fields such as Pediatrics, Radiology, and Public Health remained more limited.

Conclusion: Pediatric fracture research published in journals indexed in the ULAKBİM TR Index suggests a gradual increase in publication activity over time, with a concentration in specific journals and institutions and a predominant focus on surgical approaches. Contributions related to rehabilitation, psychosocial effects, and long-term functional outcomes were relatively limited in the national literature.   Cite this article as: Kahve Y, Aydın T, Gürhan U. A bibliometric analysis of pediatric fracture research published in journals indexed in the ULAKBİM TR index. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc., 2026; 60(5), 0680, doi: 10.5152/j.aott.2026.25680.