Mapping and visualization of global research progress on endocrine-disrupting chemicals and fetal development: a bibliometric analysis (2014–2024)

A growing body of evidence links prenatal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) to adverse fetal outcomes, including neurodevelopmental disorders, reproductive abnormalities, and metabolic diseases. This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global research trends in EDCs and fetal development from 2014 to 2024, highlighting key research areas and emerging hotspots. A total of 7,758 publications were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection and analyzed using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and R software. The analysis revealed the USA, China, and Canada as the leading contributing countries, with major institutions including the University of California System and Harvard University. Prominent journals publishing in this field were PLoS ONE, Scientific Reports, and Environment International. Core research themes, identified through keyword analysis, centered on “prenatal exposure,” “birth weight,” and “growth.” Notably, burst keyword analysis since 2020 identified emerging research frontiers such as “management,” “impact,” “transport,” “proteins,” “invasion,” and “nutrition.” These themes reflect a shift toward understanding the molecular mechanisms, broader ecological impacts, and potential mitigation strategies of EDC exposure. This analysis offers a valuable overview of the research landscape, underscoring the need for future interdisciplinary investigations that integrate toxicology, developmental biology, and public health to effectively address the risks of prenatal EDC exposure.