Global Research Trends on Mercury Exposure in Prenatal: A Bibliometric Analysis and Systematic Review

Andriani Andriani

Authors

Andriani Andriani Magister Program Departement of Enviromental health, Faculty of Public Health, Hasanuddin University, Makassar Author

Keywords:

Mercury, Pregnant Women, Bibliometric Analysis, Preeclampsia, Environmental Health, Toxicology

Abstract

Mercury (Hg) is a highly toxic heavy metal that can bioaccumulate in the human body, posing significant risks to maternal and fetal health. This study analyzed global research trends and the thematic focus of scientific literature regarding mercury exposure in pregnant women and its clinical implications. We conducted a bibliometric analysis and systematic literature review of 1, 236 documents indexed in the Scopus database from 2015 to 2026. Data were analyzed using VOSviewer and Tableau software. Publication trends showed a significant increase, peaking at 98 documents in 2021, with the United States being the leading contributor. The thematic analysis identified three primary clusters: environmental exposure (specifically methylmercury from seafood), pregnancy complications (preeclampsia and hypertension), and neurotoxicity. A systematic review confirmed a positive correlation between maternal mercury levels and adverse outcomes, including miscarriage, low birth weight (LBW), and preeclampsia. Mercury exposure remains a critical public health concern. Future research should prioritize mitigation strategies for environmental exposure pathways to safeguard maternal health and fetal neurological development.

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