Heavy Metal Exposure in Pregnancy and the Impact on Fetal Development: Five Decades of Global Research Through Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

Exposure to heavy metals during pregnancy poses significant health risks to both pregnant women and the developing fetus.This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global research on heavy metal exposure during pregnancy and its impact on fetal development over the past five decades .Data were retrieved from the Scopus database, yielding 173 English-language publications for analysis.Bibliometric mapping was performed using VOSviewer, while trend visualization and geographical analysis were conducted using Tableau to identify publication trends, research hotspots, and knowledge gaps.The results revealed a marked increase in research output beginning in 2010, with lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) emerging as the most extensively investigated metals, followed by growing attention to arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and manganese (Mn).Prominent research themes focused on associations between prenatal heavy metal exposure and adverse birth outcomes, including low birth weight, preterm birth, and impaired neurodevelopment.Geographically, research output was dominated by the United States, China, and European countries, whereas contributions from low-income and high-exposure regions remained limited.Frequently occurring author keywords included heavy metals, pregnancy, and fetal development.These findings highlight the need for more targeted research in underrepresented regions and on emerging heavy metals, in alignment with global public health priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Overall, this analysis provides strategic insights to inform future research directions and policy initiatives aimed at reducing prenatal heavy metal exposure and improving maternal and fetal health outcomes.

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