The top 100 most cited articles on pediatric respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia over the last 30 years: a bibliometric analysis

Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute lower respiratory infections in humans, contributing to a substantial burden on both families and society. To date, no bibliometric studies have specifically addressed RSV pneumonia. We therefore employed bibliometric methods to analyze the top 100 most-cited articles in this field, aiming to construct a visual knowledge map and quantitatively identify current research hotspots and emerging trends. Methods We retrieved relevant publications from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. Using Microsoft Excel 2019, CiteSpace 6.2.R4, and VOSviewer 1.6.18, we performed a visual analysis of annual publication trends, countries, institutions, authors, journals, and keywords. Results The 100 most-cited articles received a total of 15,949 citations, with individual citation counts ranging from 46 to 2846 and a median of 74. The United States contributed the most publications, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was the most productive institution. The most prolific authors were Cohen, Cheryl; Graham, Barney S; Anderson, LJ; and Ramilo, O. The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal published and received the most citations in this domain. “Bronchiolitis” was identified as the keyword with the strongest citation burst. Conclusion Current research on RSV pneumonia remains focused on pathogenesis, treatment, and prognosis. The development of new antiviral drugs and immunoprophylaxis strategies continues to be a central direction for future studies.