title: Brazilian pediatric research groups, lines of research, and main areas of activity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Brazilian scientific production in the pediatrics field has been increasing significantly. It is important to identify the distribution and activity of these groups in the country and the main study areas, contributing with data for better resource allocation by institutions.
  
  
  METHODS
  An active research was conducted in the National Council of Technological and Scientific Development (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico [CNPq]) website, using as filters the macro area of the research group (Health Sciences), the area (Medicine), and descriptors related to pediatrics. Research lines and main area of pediatric research groups were classified according to the subject predominantly studied by each group. The scientific production of the leader of the pediatric research group between 2011 and 2014 was also analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most pediatric research groups in Brazil have more than five years of activity and are concentrated in the Southeast and South regions of the country; São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, and Minas Gerais are the states with most groups. Of the 132 specific pediatric research groups analyzed, 14.4% have lines of research in multiple areas and 11.4% in child and adolescent health. Among the 585 lines of research of these groups, the most prevalent areas were: oncology, infectious diseases, epidemiology, and gastroenterology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The pediatric research groups in Brazil have relevant scientific production, including works published in international publications, and are concentrated in regions with higher socioeconomic index. Most groups registered in CNPq started their activity in the last five years (46%), reflecting the recent growth of scientific production in this area.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: priscilaraujo_@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Priscila H A
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mariana G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Larissa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Isquierdo
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sukiennik
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Instituto de Cardiologia, Fundação Universitária de Cardiologia, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lucia C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Pellanda
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015706:Bibliometrics; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006077:Government Agencies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Grupos de pesquisa; Linha de pesquisa; Pediatria; Pediatric; Pesquisa; Research; Research groups; Research line