Searching sudden infant death publications in electronic literature database systems

摘要

What can be learned when using electronic literature database systems to search the domain of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (S1DS)? This study aims to chart and illuminate publishing portrayals, i.e., geographical stratification and scientific recognition concerning one dramatic event in early childhood where no cause-of-death diagnosis has been recorded, i.e., sudden death in infancy. Information was obtained from the Web of Science covering the period of 1 January 2004 to 21/22 October 2008. Findings revealed that authorships originating from the USA, Europe, Australia and New Zealand and published in English dominated the publishing geographical map. In addition, the low-income and lower-middle-income economies/countries, representing about 70% of the world population, were almost unrepresented in this field of research.