Li Qing Wang
Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy (MDPhD)
Research Topic
Genetic and epidemiological factors of pre-eclampsia
Sarka Lisonkova
Associate Professor
Relevant Degree Programs
Biography
My research interest is in perinatal epidemiology, including pregnancy complications, fetal and neonatal outcomes and maternal morbidity. My recent and current research projects have used epidemiological methods to examine the risk factors and consequences of early- and late-onset preeclampsia on fetal and infant outcomes, and trends in maternal mortality in Canada. Other areas of research interest include the effects of older maternal age on pregnancy outcomes, assisted reproduction, preterm birth, and neonatal mortality and morbidity. I am particularly interested in using perinatal databases to address problem of health status and health care.
My goal is to advance the scientific knowledge-base related to the etiology of pregnancy complications, preterm birth, and severe maternal morbidity, and to improve maternal and child health in British Columbia, Canada and elsewhere.
Great Supervisor Week Mentions
Each year graduate students are encouraged to give kudos to their supervisors through social media and our website as part of #GreatSupervisorWeek. Below are students who mentioned this supervisor since the initiative was started in 2017.
In honour of @UBCGradSchool #GreatSupervisor Appreciation Week, I'm lucky to have Dr. Lisonkova and Dr. Ting provide absolute support and invaluable guidance during my #UBC MSc on preterm birth in Canada. The post-defense smiles say it all! @joseph_ting2010 @ubcOBGYN @UBCmedicine
Graduate Student Supervision
Master's Student Supervision
Theses completed in 2010 or later are listed below. Please note that there is a 6-12 month delay to add the latest theses.
The effects of maternal height on birth outcomes (2022)
A large body of literature has assessed the association between pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and adverse birth outcomes, however, the effects of maternal height, irrespective of BMI, have been understudied. In this thesis I evaluated the association between maternal stature and adverse perinatal outcomes, and whether this association is modified by maternal race/ethnicity. I also examined how maternal stature modifies the association between small- and large-for-gestational age infants (SGA and LGA, respectively) and adverse neonatal outcomes. I conducted two retrospective cohort studies using data on all singleton births in the USA in 2016 and 2017, obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Short and tall stature were defined as 90th centile of the maternal height distribution, respectively; maternal race/ethnicity included non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Hispanic categories. SGA and LGA infant categories were defined using the United States’ reference for fetal growth. Adverse outcomes included, for example, preterm birth, perinatal death, and neonatal morbidity. Regression models were used to adjust for potential confounding and to assess effect modification.Overall, short women had an increased risk while tall women had a decreased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes relative to average stature women. Associations between maternal height and adverse perinatal outcomes were modified by race/ethnicity: the magnitude of the associations between maternal height and adverse perinatal outcomes were larger among some racial/ethnic groups and attenuated in others. When investigating risks of adverse neonatal outcomes among SGA and LGA infants, I found that the association between SGA and adverse neonatal outcomes was weaker in women of short stature, while it was stronger in women of tall stature. These findings raise important questions about the existing SGA/LGA classification since the medical prognosis for these infants also depends on maternal height. The findings of my thesis including various adverse perinatal health outcomes associated with maternal stature, race/ethnicity, and size for gestational age fill gaps in the literature regarding the modifying effects of maternal stature. The results provide health care providers with additional information that can improve risk assessment in pregnant women.
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Temporal trends in neonatal mortality and morbidity following spontaneous and clinician-initiated preterm birth in Canada and the United States (2019)
Preterm birth (PTB;
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Current Students & Alumni
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