Cesarean Sections Research Trend Chuan-Yaw Chang,1* Hsiao-Chen Chiu,1 Wen-Ta Chiu,2 Yee-Shuan Lee,3 Yuh-Shan Ho3 and Chun-Sen Hsu1# 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Medical University - Wan-Fang Hospital 2Taipei Medical University - Wan-Fang Hospital 3Bibliometric Centre, Taipei Medical University - Wan-Fang Hospital Introduction High cesarean section rate is an international public health concern1 and unnecessary cesarean sections would increase the expenditure on the national health program budget.2 National cesarean section rate of Norway, Scotland, Sweden, and the United States have dropped significantly between the time periods 1980 to 1985 and 1985 to 1990.3 Many countries such as Hong Kong,1 China,4 and United States5 have also done studies on cesarean rate to develop reduction methods. Publication output of a certain discipline or topic indicates its current research trend whether it is presently, previously, or future research focus.6 The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of cesarean sections publication pattern to determine whether it has become a recent research focus. Methodology Analysis based on Science Citation Index (SCI) indexed documents: Keyword as cesarean section rate Published from 1991 to 2002 Analyzed by: Yearly production (P) Citation per publication (CPP) = total citation/total publication Journal distribution Origin of authors Results Total Publication: 249 Annual Average production: 20 Decreasing CPP: time bias toward earlier publications Domination of 1 to 3 authors Authorship affected CPP Increasing authorship size may increase visibility 1.91 21 4.42 11 German 0.67 4 2.41 6 French 8.66 2010 93.17 232 English CPP C P% P Language English dominated both production and citation 1 Turkey Taiwan Israel Denmark Australia 2 Switzerland Saudi Arabia Canada 3 Netherlands Germany France 6 UK 39 US # Journal Country Main-Stream Country domination Published most as articles but reviews were with more impact 21.60 108 2.01 5 Reviews 4 0.40 1 Notes 3.21 8 Meeting Abstract 15.17 91 2.41 6 Letter 3.25 13 1.61 Editorial Material 8.45 1901 90.4 225 Article CPP C P% P DT International collaboration affected more on non-English country Most international collaboration involved English speaking Countries Main-stream English speaking countries compose 50% of publication Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, and United States Northern America composed 47% of publication Non-International International Country Type P C CPP English 127 1565 12.3 14 162 11.6 Non-English　 103 339 3.29 18 210 11.7 Conclusion Possible Anglo-Saxon bias Possible main-stream country bias Not being the research focus from 1991 to 2002 References Leung GM, Lam TH, Thach TQ, Wan SM, Ho LM. Rates of cesarean births in Hong Kong: 1987-1999. Birth-Issues in Perinatal Care 2001;28:166-72. Eckerlund I, Gerdtham, UG. Econometric analysis of variation in cesarean section rates - A cross-sectional study of 59 obstetrical departments in Sweden. Int J Technol Assess Health Care 1998;14:774-87. Notzon FC, Cnattingius S, Bergsjo P, Cole S, Taffel S, Irgens L, Daltveit AK. Cesarean-section delivery in the 1980s: International comparison by indication. Am J Obstet and Gynecol 1994;170:495-504. Wu WL. Cesarean delivery in Shantou, China: A retrospective analysis of 1922 women. Birth-Issues in Perinatal Care 2000;27:86-90. Paul RH, Miller DA. Cesarean birth: How to reduce the rate. Am J Obstet and Gynecol 1995;172:1903-11. Garfield E. Citation indexing for studying science. Essays of an Information Scientist 1970;1:133-8.