Topics and Trends in Most Cited Neonatal Respiratory Health Research Papers

Ranked by citations 18 months after publication

Class of 2026 (Papers Published in 2024)

What topics and trends defined most-cited Neonatal Respiratory Health Research research in the Class of 2026?

Neonatal respiratory health research in the Class of 2026 is defined by a major shift toward passive RSV immunization, led by nirsevimab and targeted prophylaxis. Concurrently, focus moved from broad observational metrics toward hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury and bronchopulmonary dysplasia prevention in preterm infants.

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Updated July 22, 2026

At a glance

Field
Neonatal Respiratory Health Research
Cohort label
Class of 2026 (2024 publications)
Papers analyzed
9,303
Papers ranked
20
Top topics in ranked papers
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), preterm infants, nirsevimab, bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Publication window
Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
Eligibility
Research articles; reviews excluded
Citation window
18 months post-publication
18m citation range
28–98
Data source
OpenAlex · Retrieved Jul 2026
License
CC BY 4.0

Rankings

20 papers ranked by 18-month citation count

#1 of 9,303
9818m citations

Impact of nirsevimab prophylaxis on paediatric respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-related hospitalisations during the initial 2023/24 season in Luxembourg

Corinna Ernst et al.Eurosurveillance202410.2807/1560-7917.es.2024.29.4.2400033

Corinna ErnstHealth Directorate, Luxembourg

nirsevimabRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV)RSV hospitalizationInfant immunizationInfants under 6 monthspaediatric intensive care unit admissionsLength of staySevere RSV diseaseprophylaxis effectivenessRSV seasonLuxembourg healthcare systemage distribution of hospitalised childrenRSV immunization program
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#2 of 9,303
9018m citations

RSV Prefusion F Protein–Based Maternal Vaccine — Preterm Birth and Other Outcomes

Ilse Dieussaert et al.New England Journal of Medicine202410.1056/nejmoa2305478

Ilse DieussaertGSK, Belgium

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)RSV prefusion F proteinRSVPreF3-MatMaternal immunizationRSV lower respiratory tract diseasePreterm birthNeonatal mortalityVaccine effectivenessgestational age 24-34 weeksinfant protectionRandomized controlled trialsafety signalSevere RSV disease
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#3 of 9,303
8318m citations

Global, regional, and national burden of preterm birth, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis from the global burden of disease study 2021

Xifeng Liang et al.EClinicalMedicine202410.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102840

Xifeng LiangJining Medical University, China

Preterm birthGlobal Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR)age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR)disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs)joinpoint regression analysisdecomposition analysishealth inequality concentration indexSocio-demographic Index (SDI)sub-Saharan AfricaSouth AsiaWestern sub-Saharan Africaepidemiological changeNeonatal mortalityunder-five mortalitysex disparity in preterm birthregional health disparitiesTemporal trend analysis
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#5 of 9,303
6418m citations

Effectiveness of Nirsevimab Immunoprophylaxis Administered at Birth to Prevent Infant Hospitalisation for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Guillermo Ezpeleta et al.Vaccines202410.3390/vaccines12040383

Jesús CastillaInstituto de Salud Pública de Navarra, Spain

nirsevimabRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV)RSV prophylaxisInfant hospitalizationInfant immunizationProspective cohort studyCox proportional hazards modelsPCR-confirmed RSV infectionRSV lower respiratory tract diseaseVaccine effectivenessRSV seasonbirth cohort immunization strategynumber needed to treatHospitalization prevention
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#6 of 9,303
5618m citations

Tracing the origin of alveolar stem cells in lung repair and regeneration

Kuo Liu et al.Cell202410.1016/j.cell.2024.03.010

Bin ZhouUniversity of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

Alveolar type 2 cellsalveolar stem cellsdual recombinase-mediated intersectional genetic lineage tracingCre-loxP systemAlveolar type 1 cellsclub cellsbronchioalveolar stem cells (BASCs)acute lung injuryLung developmentNotch signalingepithelial cell differentiationterminal differentiationcellular originsAlveolar epithelial cells
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#7 of 9,303
4818m citations

Initial Oxygen Concentration for the Resuscitation of Infants Born at Less Than 32 Weeks’ Gestation

James X Sotiropoulos et al.JAMA Pediatrics202410.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.1848

James X SotiropoulosUniversity of Sydney, Australia

fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2)Preterm infantsnetwork meta-analysisindividual participant dataResuscitationOxygen saturationNeonatal morbidityall-cause mortalityone-stage contrast-based bayesian IPD-NMAOxygen concentrationhospital discharge mortalityRandomized controlled trial
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#8 of 9,303
4618m citations

Deviations in RSV epidemiological patterns and population structures in the United States following the COVID-19 pandemic

Estefany Rios-Guzman et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-47757-9

Judd F. HultquistNorthwestern University, United States

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)COVID-19 pandemicnon-pharmaceutical interventionsabnormal seasonalityRSV subtypesGenetic diversitypopulation structurediagnostic platformsintensive care admissiongenetic shiftgeographically distinct clustersfusion proteinAntigenic sitesconvergent evolutionvaccine developmenttherapeutic developmentretrospective cohort studyAcute respiratory infection
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#9 of 9,303
4418m citations

Safety and Efficacy of Nirsevimab in a Universal Prevention Program of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Bronchiolitis in Newborns and Infants in the First Year of Life in the Valle d’Aosta Region, Italy, in the 2023–2024 Epidemic Season

Alessandra Consolati et al.Vaccines202410.3390/vaccines12050549

Susanna EspositoLocal Health Authority Valle d'Aosta, Italy

nirsevimabRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV)RSV bronchiolitisMonoclonal antibodyuniversal prophylaxisInfantsInfants under 1 yearValle d'Aosta2023–2024 epidemic seasonHospitalization preventionPassive immunizationRSV prophylaxisprophylaxis adherencereal-world effectiveness
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#10 of 9,303
4318m citations

Analyses of 1236 genotyped primary ciliary dyskinesia individuals identify regional clusters of distinct DNA variants and significant genotype–phenotype correlations

Johanna Raidt et al.European Respiratory Journal202410.1183/13993003.01769-2023

Johanna RaidtUniversity Hospital Muenster, Germany

primary ciliary dyskinesiaERN-LUNG international PCD Registryfounder variantspathognomonic ultrastructural defectslaterality defectsCCNOCCDC39CCDC40DNAH11ODAD1FEV1 z-scoregenotype-phenotype correlationsAmerican College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelinesciliary ultrastructure defectsgenetic epidemiology
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#12 of 9,303
4118m citations

Survival of Infants Born at 22 to 25 Weeks’ Gestation Receiving Care in the NICU: 2020–2022

Erika M Edwards et al.PEDIATRICS202410.1542/peds.2024-065963

Erika M EdwardsVermont Oxford Network, United States

Gestational agePreterm infantsVermont Oxford NetworkNeonatal intensive care unitpostnatal life supportsurvival to hospital dischargesurvival without severe complicationstechnology dependence at dischargeLength of stayinborn infants22-week survival25-week survivalTemporal trend analysisgestational age-specific outcomes
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#13 of 9,303
3718m citations

Systemic Postnatal Corticosteroids, Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, and Survival Free of Cerebral Palsy

Lex W Doyle et al.JAMA Pediatrics202410.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.4575

Lex W. Doylethe Royal Women's Hospital, Australia

Corticosteroidsbronchopulmonary dysplasiacerebral palsyPreterm infantsdexamethasonehydrocortisonesurvival free of cerebral palsyweighted meta-regression analysiscomparative effectiveness researchBPD risk stratificationtiming of corticosteroid treatmentNeonatal intensive care unitcorticosteroid-BPD interactionearly postnatal treatmentrisk-benefit stratification
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#14 of 9,303
3618m citations

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes After Late Preterm Antenatal Corticosteroids

Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman et al.JAMA202410.1001/jama.2024.4303

Cynthia Gyamfi‐BannermanColumbia University, United States

late preterm antenatal corticosteroidsbetamethasoneALPS trialNeonatal morbidityneonatal hypoglycemiaDifferential Ability Scales 2nd EditionGeneral Conceptual Ability scoreGross Motor Function Classification SystemSocial Responsiveness ScaleChild Behavior ChecklistGestational ageNeurodevelopmental outcomesMaternal-Fetal Medicine Units Networkinverse probability weightinglong-term follow-up study
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#16 of 9,303
3218m citations

Predictors of Death or Severe Impairment in Neonates With Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

Hannah C Glass et al.JAMA Network Open202410.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.49188

Hannah C. GlassUniversity of California, San Francisco, United States

hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathyTherapeutic hypothermiaNeurodevelopmental outcomeselectroencephalographymagnetic resonance imagingBayley Scales of Infant and Toddler DevelopmentGross Motor Function Classification Systemdeep gray matter injurythalamuscaudateputamenglobus pallidusT1 imagingT2 imagingdiffusion-weighted imagingApgar scoreprognostic modelingpositive predictive valueneonatal encephalopathy grading
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#17 of 9,303
3118m citations

Mechanosensitive channels TMEM63A and TMEM63B mediate lung inflation–induced surfactant secretion

Gui-Lan Chen et al.Journal of Clinical Investigation202410.1172/jci174508

Gui-Lan ChenInstitute of Cardiovascular Research, China

TMEM63ATMEM63Bmechanosensitive channelspulmonary surfactant secretionAlveolar type 2 cellslamellar bodymechanical stretch sensingLung aerationatelectasisrespiratory failureATP releaseCa2+ signalingexocytic fusionlysosome-related organellelimiting membraneRespiratory distress syndromefirst breathalveolar surface tension
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#18 of 9,303
3118m citations

Physiological versus time based cord clamping in very preterm infants (ABC3): a parallel-group, multicentre, randomised, controlled superiority trial

Ronny Knol et al.The Lancet Regional Health - Europe202410.1016/j.lanepe.2024.101146

Ronny KnolErasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Netherlands

Delayed cord clampingPreterm infantscardiorespiratory stabilityplacental transfusionintact survivalsevere brain injurynecrotizing enterocolitisred blood cell transfusionslate-onset sepsisadmission temperaturesex-specific effectsparental anxietyheart rate >100 bpmOxygen saturationcardiovascular transition at birth
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#19 of 9,303
3018m citations

Quantitative Lung Ultrasonography to Guide Surfactant Therapy in Neonates Born Late Preterm and Later

Daniele De Luca et al.JAMA Network Open202410.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.13446

Danièle De LucaParis Saclay University, France

Lung ultrasonographySurfactant therapyPreterm infantsrespiratory failureReceiver operating characteristic analysisSpO2:FiO2 ratioOxygen saturationGestational ageLung aerationdiagnostic accuracytriage testreplacement testTerm infants
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#20 of 9,303
2818m citations

RSV Neutralizing Antibodies Following Nirsevimab and Palivizumab Dosing

Deidre Wilkins, Ulrika Wählby Hamrén et al.PEDIATRICS202410.1542/peds.2024-067174

Deidre Wilkins, Ulrika Wählby HamrénBioPharmaceuticals R&D, United States

nirsevimabpalivizumabNeutralizing antibodiesMonoclonal antibodylong-acting monoclonal antibodiesRSV F proteinprefusion conformation antibodiespostfusion conformation antibodiesMEDLEY trialPreterm infantsCongenital heart diseasebronchopulmonary dysplasiasingle-dose prophylaxismonthly dosing regimenserum antibody concentrationsantibody kineticsRSV prophylaxis
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Dominant research themes and year-over-year shifts in Neonatal Respiratory Health Research

What Topics Define the Class of 2026 in Neonatal Respiratory Health?

The Class of 2026 in neonatal respiratory health research is anchored by major advances in viral prophylaxis and specialized neonatal intensive care. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) dominates thematic discourse, appearing in 34% of top-cited publications (17 mentions), alongside related concepts including nirsevimab (18%), RSV prophylaxis (12%), and RSV season management (12%). This pronounced concentration reflects recent regulatory breakthroughs and widespread clinical implementation of long-acting monoclonal antibody immunizations designed to protect vulnerable infant populations. Intertwined with viral prevention is a strong focus on premature infant pulmonary care. Preterm infants represent the second most frequent theme at 28% (14 mentions), supported by key diagnostic and developmental markers such as gestational age (18%), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (18%), and lung development (14%). Therapeutic and pathological studies actively examine acute lung injury (8%), mechanical ventilation (8%), hyperoxia-induced injury (8%), and neonatal resuscitation protocols (8%). Together, these dominant clusters underscore an overarching paradigm shift from reactive intervention toward preventive immunizations and lung-protective management strategies for high-risk neonates.

Leading research themes
Leading research themes

How Did Topics Shift from the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2026?

Comparative analysis between the Class of 2025 and Class of 2026 highlights a significant surge in targeted immunization research alongside emerging mechanistic studies on neonatal lung injury. The most prominent positive shift centers on RSV prevention strategies and clinical outcomes. Following the real-world rollout of nirsevimab, mentions of nirsevimab rose from 11.4% to 18.0% (1.58-fold increase), while broader RSV prophylaxis and RSV hospitalization studies also expanded significantly, with hospital-level tracking emerging as a new focus area (6% frequency). Furthermore, acute lung injury and bronchiolitis research experienced a 3.52-fold increase in mention rate (from 2.3% to 8.0%). Conversely, foundational baseline metrics experienced a relative decline in research focus. Broad observational terms such as gestational age declined from 27.3% to 18.0% (0.66-fold change), while chronic lung disease fell from 11.4% to 6.0% (0.53-fold change). Similarly, conventional oxygen therapy and postmenstrual age tracking saw relative drops to 4.0%. In their place, high-impact research shifted toward specific pathophysiological mechanisms, evidenced by new entries in hyperoxia-induced cellular toxicity (8.0%), corticosteroids, and pulmonary fibrosis. This progression demonstrates a maturing field transitioning from broad observational cohort characterization to targeted molecular therapeutics and population-level passive immunization.

How topics shifted year over year
How topics shifted year over year
Methodology

PRI identifies high-impact research using a transparent, topic-agnostic framework applied consistently across scientific domains. Bibliographic records are drawn from OpenAlex, including publication dates, citation relationships, and document types.

This ranking covers the Class of 2026 cohort: journal articles published in 2024. Reviews and other non-article document types are excluded to ensure comparability.

Research impact is quantified with an 18-month post-publication citation window—the number of citing works published within 18 months of each paper's publication date. This metric captures early impact while controlling for publication age.

An LLM-based relevance classifier then reviews each candidate's title and abstract to confirm substantive alignment with the target domain. Only papers classified as relevant appear in the final ranking.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459

Full methodologyGitHubbioRxiv preprint

Cite this ranking

Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Neonatal Respiratory Health Research Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/neonatal-respiratory-health-research/2026. Accessed 2026-07-22.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459