Zeyan Liew, PhD, MPH
Assistant Professor of Epidemiology (Environmental Health)
Research & Publications
Biography
News
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Research Summary
The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) theory suggests that there are critical vulnerable periods in pre or early postnatal life during which not only development, but also future health may be impacted dramatically. My research has been focusing on employing large longitudinal pregnancy cohorts to evaluate potential adverse effects from in-utero exposures to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including persistent organic pollutants and pesticides, and pharmaceutical agents such as acetaminophen. Over the years, I have studied a broad range of neurodevelopmental endpoints including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders (ASD), cerebral palsy (CP), and functional brain measures such as intelligence, executive function, motor function, and social and behavioral problems. My team utilizes some unique and large-scale population-based cohorts and register data for research, which include (1) the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC), a prospective pregnancy cohort of approximately 100,000 women and their offspring currently in its 18 years follow up, (2) Danish and other Nordic medical registers and biobank data that span up to three decades and two generations, (3) statewide birth records and disease registers in California, and recently (4) mental health outcomes among children enrolled in the U.S. Nurses’ Health Study. Finally, I also contributed to methodological research specifically in causal inference and bias analyses.
Coauthors
Research Interests
Acetaminophen; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Cerebral Palsy; Child Development; Environmental Pollutants; Pregnancy; Models, Statistical; Causality; Pharmacoepidemiology; Endocrine Disruptors; Pediatric Obesity; Autism Spectrum Disorder
Public Health Interests
Environmental Health; Epidemiology Methods; Global Health; Maternal & Child Health; Child/Adolescent Health; Perinatal/Prenatal Health; Pharmacoepidemiology
Selected Publications
- Offspring neurodevelopmental outcomes born to parents with chronic inflammatory arthritis using antirheumatic therapies: A scoping reviewChock E, Dahal S, Grimshaw A, Suter L, Liew Z, Felson D. Offspring neurodevelopmental outcomes born to parents with chronic inflammatory arthritis using antirheumatic therapies: A scoping review Seminars In Arthritis And Rheumatism 2023, 61: 152230. PMID: 37295300, DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2023.152230.
- Association Between Estimated Geocoded Residential Maternal Exposure to Lithium in Drinking Water and Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Offspring in DenmarkLiew Z, Meng Q, Yan Q, Schullehner J, Hansen B, Kristiansen S, Voutchkova D, Olsen J, Ersbøll A, Ketzel M, Raaschou-Nielsen O, Ritz B. Association Between Estimated Geocoded Residential Maternal Exposure to Lithium in Drinking Water and Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Offspring in Denmark JAMA Pediatrics 2023, 177: 617-624. PMID: 37010840, PMCID: PMC10071398, DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.0346.
- Residential proximity to unconventional oil and gas development and birth defects in OhioGaughan C, Sorrentino K, Liew Z, Johnson N, Clark C, Soriano M, Plano J, Plata D, Saiers J, Deziel N. Residential proximity to unconventional oil and gas development and birth defects in Ohio Environmental Research 2023, 229: 115937. PMID: 37076028, PMCID: PMC10198955, DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115937.
- Cerebral Palsy and Maternal Injury During PregnancyLiew Z, Zhuo H. Cerebral Palsy and Maternal Injury During Pregnancy JAMA Pediatrics 2023, 177: 10-11. PMID: 36441524, DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2022.4541.
- Parental Age and Childhood Risk for Cerebral Palsy in CaliforniaZhou L, Meng Q, von Ehrenstein O, Xiao J, Gao Y, Wu Y, Ritz B, Liew Z. Parental Age and Childhood Risk for Cerebral Palsy in California The Journal Of Pediatrics 2022, 255: 147-153.e6. PMID: 36372095, PMCID: PMC10121738, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.10.039.
- Exposure assessment of acetaminophen use in pregnancy: a study comparing self-reported intake with maternal and newborn biomarker measuresLiew Z, Guo P, Xiao J, Clish C, Deik A, Yan H, DeWan A, Johnson C. Exposure assessment of acetaminophen use in pregnancy: a study comparing self-reported intake with maternal and newborn biomarker measures ISEE Conference Abstracts 2022, 2022 DOI: 10.1289/isee.2022.o-op-100.
- Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and sleep health in U.S. adults, NHANES 2005-2014Jin Z, Guo P, Luo J, Inoue K, Pollitt K, Deziel N, Liew Z. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and sleep health in U.S. adults, NHANES 2005-2014 ISEE Conference Abstracts 2022, 2022 DOI: 10.1289/isee.2022.p-0368.
- The Season of Conception and Cerebral Palsy Risk in CaliforniaZhuo H, Ritz B, Liew Z. The Season of Conception and Cerebral Palsy Risk in California ISEE Conference Abstracts 2022, 2022 DOI: 10.1289/isee.2022.p-0480.
- Paracetamol Use During Pregnancy—A Call for Precautionary ActionBauer A, Swan S, Kriebel D, Liew Z, Taylor H, Bornehag C, Andrade A, Olsen J, Jensen R, Mitchell R, Skakkebaek N, Jégou B, Kristensen D. Paracetamol Use During Pregnancy—A Call for Precautionary Action Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey 2022, 77: 133-134. DOI: 10.1097/ogx.0000000000001019.
- Rates of Neuropsychiatric Disorders and Gestational Age at Birth in a Danish PopulationXia Y, Xiao J, Yu Y, Tseng W, Lebowitz E, DeWan A, Pedersen L, Olsen J, Li J, Liew Z. Rates of Neuropsychiatric Disorders and Gestational Age at Birth in a Danish Population Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey 2021, 76: 719-721. DOI: 10.1097/01.ogx.0000802660.47978.73.
- Non-targeted metabolomics in evaluating alterations associated with per-fluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure in human studies: a scoping reviewGuo P, Furnary T, Vasiliou V, Yan Q, Jones D, Johnson C, Liew Z. Non-targeted metabolomics in evaluating alterations associated with per-fluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure in human studies: a scoping review ISEE Conference Abstracts 2021, 2021 DOI: 10.1289/isee.2021.p-608.
- Prenatal Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Mental Health in ChildhoodLuo J, Ramlau Hansen C, Olsen J, Strandberg Larsen K, Liew Z. Prenatal Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Mental Health in Childhood ISEE Conference Abstracts 2021, 2021 DOI: 10.1289/isee.2021.o-lt-076.
- Prenatal Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Dysmorphic Facial Features at age 5Luo J, Xiao J, Ramlau-Hansen C, Kesmodel U, Olsen J, Liew Z. Prenatal Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Dysmorphic Facial Features at age 5 ISEE Conference Abstracts 2020, 2020 DOI: 10.1289/isee.2020.virtual.o-os-543.
- Associations between preterm birth and low birth weight in parents and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk in their offspring: A population-based multigenerational cohort study in DenmarkXiao J, Gao Y, Yu Y, Toft G, Zhang Y, Luo J, Xia Y, Chawarska K, Olsen J, Li J, Liew Z. Associations between preterm birth and low birth weight in parents and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk in their offspring: A population-based multigenerational cohort study in Denmark ISEE Conference Abstracts 2020, 2020 DOI: 10.1289/isee.2020.virtual.p-0708.
- Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances and behavioral difficulties in childhood at 7 and 11 yearsLuo J, Xiao J, Gao Y, Ramlau-Hansen C, Toft G, Li J, Obel C, Andersen S, Deziel N, Tseng W, Inoue K, Bonefeld-Jørgensen C, Olsen J, Liew Z. Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances and behavioral difficulties in childhood at 7 and 11 years ISEE Conference Abstracts 2020, 2020 DOI: 10.1289/isee.2020.virtual.p-0872.
- Solid fuel-related indoor air pollution and poor sleep quality in the elderly: a national longitudinal study in ChinaYu H, Luo J, Pollitt K, Liew Z. Solid fuel-related indoor air pollution and poor sleep quality in the elderly: a national longitudinal study in China ISEE Conference Abstracts 2020, 2020 DOI: 10.1289/isee.2020.virtual.p-1303.
- Maternal Diabetes During Pregnancy and Early Onset of Cardiovascular Disease in Offspring: Population Based Cohort Study With 40 Years of Follow UpYu Y, Arah O, Liew Z, Cnattingius S, Olsen J, Sørensen H, Qin G, Li J. Maternal Diabetes During Pregnancy and Early Onset of Cardiovascular Disease in Offspring: Population Based Cohort Study With 40 Years of Follow Up Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey 2020, 75: 277-279. DOI: 10.1097/01.ogx.0000666220.44880.94.
- Perfluoroalkyl Substances and thyroid hormones in early pregnancy; findings in the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC)Z L, K I, B R, S A, C R, B H, B B, T H, E B, J O. Perfluoroalkyl Substances and thyroid hormones in early pregnancy; findings in the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC) Environmental Epidemiology 2019, 3: 240. DOI: 10.1097/01.ee9.0000608512.83637.07.
- The Maternal Serum Metabolome and Ambient Air Pollution Exposure during PregnancyQ Y, O V, C L, X C, D W, D J, K U, Z L. The Maternal Serum Metabolome and Ambient Air Pollution Exposure during Pregnancy Environmental Epidemiology 2019, 3: 334. DOI: 10.1097/01.ee9.0000609680.03465.2e.
- The association of short-term effects of air pollution and sleep disorders among elderly residents in ChinaM T, D L, Z L, K C, B R. The association of short-term effects of air pollution and sleep disorders among elderly residents in China Environmental Epidemiology 2019, 3: 390. DOI: 10.1097/01.ee9.0000610344.17339.a4.
- Use of Negative Control Exposure Analysis to Evaluate Confounding: An Example of Acetaminophen Exposure and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Nurses' Health Study II.Liew Z, Kioumourtzoglou MA, Roberts AL, O’Reilly É, Ascherio A, Weisskopf MG. Use of Negative Control Exposure Analysis to Evaluate Confounding: An Example of Acetaminophen Exposure and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Nurses' Health Study II. American Journal Of Epidemiology 2019, 188: 768-775. PMID: 30923825, PMCID: PMC6438812, DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwy288.
- Air Pollution and Metabolomics in Maternal SerumYan Q, Liew Z, Uppal K, Jones D, Ritz B. Air Pollution and Metabolomics in Maternal Serum ISEE Conference Abstracts 2018, 2018 DOI: 10.1289/isesisee.2018.p01.0780.
- Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Birth Outcomes: A Pool Analysis in the Danish National Birth CohortMeng Q, Ritz B, Olsen J, Liew Z. Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Birth Outcomes: A Pool Analysis in the Danish National Birth Cohort ISEE Conference Abstracts 2018, 2018 DOI: 10.1289/isesisee.2018.p01.2300.
- A Population-Based Study of Traffic-Related and Outdoor Air Pollution during Pregnancy and Autism in DenmarkYan Q, Ritz B, Liew Z, Cui X, Matthias M, Virk J, Raaschou-Nielsen O. A Population-Based Study of Traffic-Related and Outdoor Air Pollution during Pregnancy and Autism in Denmark ISEE Conference Abstracts 2018, 2018 DOI: 10.1289/isesisee.2018.p02.1250.
- Bias from Conditioning on Live Birth in Pregnancy Cohorts: An Illustration Based on Neurodevelopment in Children after Prenatal Exposure to Organic PollutantsLiew Z, Olsen J, Ritz B, Arah O. Bias from Conditioning on Live Birth in Pregnancy Cohorts: An Illustration Based on Neurodevelopment in Children after Prenatal Exposure to Organic Pollutants ISEE Conference Abstracts 2018, 2018 DOI: 10.1289/isesisee.2018.s02.01.12.
- Prenatal Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Birth Outcomes; An Updated Analysis from the Danish National Birth CohortMeng Q, Inoue K, Ritz B, Olsen J, Liew Z. Prenatal Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Birth Outcomes; An Updated Analysis from the Danish National Birth Cohort International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2018, 15: 1832. PMID: 30149566, PMCID: PMC6164159, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15091832.
- Prenatal Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances and IQ Scores at Age 5; a Study in the Danish National Birth CohortLiew Z, Ritz B, Bach CC, Asarnow RF, Bech BH, Nohr EA, Bossi R, Henriksen TB, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC, Olsen J. Prenatal Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances and IQ Scores at Age 5; a Study in the Danish National Birth Cohort Environmental Health Perspectives 2018, 126: 067004. PMID: 29897723, PMCID: PMC6084884, DOI: 10.1289/ehp2754.
- Developmental Exposures to Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs): An Update of Associated Health OutcomesLiew Z, Goudarzi H, Oulhote Y. Developmental Exposures to Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs): An Update of Associated Health Outcomes Current Environmental Health Reports 2018, 5: 1-19. PMID: 29556975, PMCID: PMC6348874, DOI: 10.1007/s40572-018-0173-4.
- How to investigate and adjust for selection bias in cohort studiesNohr EA, Liew Z. How to investigate and adjust for selection bias in cohort studies Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica 2018, 97: 407-416. PMID: 29415329, DOI: 10.1111/aogs.13319.
- Ambient Pesticide Exposure during Pregnancy and Risk of Cerebral Palsy: A California Statewide StudyLiew Z, Yuan Y, Ling C, Cui X, Park A, Cockburn M, Ehrenstein O, Ritz B. Ambient Pesticide Exposure during Pregnancy and Risk of Cerebral Palsy: A California Statewide Study ISEE Conference Abstracts 2018, 2017 DOI: 10.1289/isee.2017.2017-922.
- Maternal socioeconomic status and infant mortality with low birth weight as a mediator: an inter-country comparison between Scotland and Denmark using administrative dataYu Y, Verfuerden M, Hardelid P, Zylbersztejn A, Liew Z, Olsen J, Gilbert R, Li J, Fu B. Maternal socioeconomic status and infant mortality with low birth weight as a mediator: an inter-country comparison between Scotland and Denmark using administrative data International Journal For Population Data Science 2017, 1: 368. PMCID: PMC9351277, DOI: 10.23889/ijpds.v1i1.368.
- Prenatal maternal bereavement and mortality in the first decades of life: a nationwide cohort study from Denmark and SwedenYu Y, Cnattingius S, Olsen J, Parner E, Vestergaard M, Liew Z, Zhao N, Li J. Prenatal maternal bereavement and mortality in the first decades of life: a nationwide cohort study from Denmark and Sweden Psychological Medicine 2016, 47: 389-400. PMID: 27762181, DOI: 10.1017/s003329171600266x.
- S13-2 Identifying chemical agents that cause neurodegeneration in humans: insights gained from studying gene-environment interactions in parkinson’s diseaseRitz B, Paul K, Cui X, Liew Z, Cockburn M, Sinsheimer J, Bronstein J. S13-2 Identifying chemical agents that cause neurodegeneration in humans: insights gained from studying gene-environment interactions in parkinson’s disease 2016, a115.3-a116. DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2016-103951.313.
- Maternal levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances during pregnancy and executive function in the offspringBach* C, Liew Z, Matthiesen N, Henriksen T, Nohr E, Bech B, Ritz B, Olsen J. Maternal levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances during pregnancy and executive function in the offspring ISEE Conference Abstracts 2016, 2016 DOI: 10.1289/isee.2016.3070.
- Air pollution and fetal growth- a study on ultrasound measures of Swedish childrenMalmqvist* E, Liew Z, Rylander L, Ritz B. Air pollution and fetal growth- a study on ultrasound measures of Swedish children ISEE Conference Abstracts 2016, 2016 DOI: 10.1289/isee.2016.3194.
- Exposure misclassification using a Geographical Information System (GIS)-based assessment of long-term ambient pesticide exposures: residential mobility and changes in pesticide use in a study of Parkinson’s diseaseCui* X, Liew Z, Ling C, Paul K, Ritz B. Exposure misclassification using a Geographical Information System (GIS)-based assessment of long-term ambient pesticide exposures: residential mobility and changes in pesticide use in a study of Parkinson’s disease ISEE Conference Abstracts 2016, 2016 DOI: 10.1289/isee.2016.3243.
- Maternal Perfluoroalkyl Substances Levels in Pregnancy and Child IQ: a Danish National Birth Cohort Study.Liew* Z, Ritz B, Bech B, Nohr E, Bossi R, Henriksen T, Bonefeld-Jørgensen E, Olsen J. Maternal Perfluoroalkyl Substances Levels in Pregnancy and Child IQ: a Danish National Birth Cohort Study. ISEE Conference Abstracts 2016, 2016 DOI: 10.1289/isee.2016.3303.
- Maternal levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances during pregnancy and attention in the offspringBach* C, Liew Z, Matthiesen N, Henriksen T, Nohr E, Bech B, Ritz B, Olsen J. Maternal levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances during pregnancy and attention in the offspring ISEE Conference Abstracts 2016, 2016 DOI: 10.1289/isee.2016.3315.
- Occupational Pesticide Exposures and Risk of Depression in Central CaliforniaLiew* Z, Paul K, Narayan S, Lee P, Ritz B. Occupational Pesticide Exposures and Risk of Depression in Central California ISEE Conference Abstracts 2016, 2016 DOI: 10.1289/isee.2016.4020.
- Occupational Pesticide Use and Parkinson’s Disease in Central CaliforniaNarayan S, Liew* Z, Bronstein J, Ritz B. Occupational Pesticide Use and Parkinson’s Disease in Central California ISEE Conference Abstracts 2016, 2016 DOI: 10.1289/isee.2016.4062.
- Maternal use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and risk of autism spectrum disorders in childhood: A Danish national birth cohort studyLiew Z, Ritz B, Virk J, Olsen J. Maternal use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and risk of autism spectrum disorders in childhood: A Danish national birth cohort study Autism Research 2015, 9: 951-958. PMID: 26688372, DOI: 10.1002/aur.1591.
- Prenatal Exposure to Perfluorinated Chemicals and Risk of Congenital Cerebral Palsy in Children.Liew Z, Ritz B, Bonefeld-Jørgensen E, Henriksen T, Nohr E, Bech B, Fei C, Bossi R, von Ehrenstein O, Streja E, Uldall P, Olsen J. Prenatal Exposure to Perfluorinated Chemicals and Risk of Congenital Cerebral Palsy in Children. International Journal Of Epidemiology 2015, 44: i158-i158. DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyv096.202.
- Bias from conditioning on live birth in pregnancy cohorts: an illustration based on neurodevelopment in children after prenatal exposure to organic pollutantsLiew Z, Olsen J, Cui X, Ritz B, Arah OA. Bias from conditioning on live birth in pregnancy cohorts: an illustration based on neurodevelopment in children after prenatal exposure to organic pollutants International Journal Of Epidemiology 2015, 44: 345-354. PMID: 25604449, PMCID: PMC4339763, DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyu249.
- Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Childhood Autism in Association with Prenatal Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances: A Nested Case–Control Study in the Danish National Birth CohortLiew Z, Ritz B, von Ehrenstein OS, Bech BH, Nohr EA, Fei C, Bossi R, Henriksen TB, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC, Olsen J. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Childhood Autism in Association with Prenatal Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances: A Nested Case–Control Study in the Danish National Birth Cohort Environmental Health Perspectives 2014, 123: 367-373. PMID: 25616253, PMCID: PMC4383573, DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1408412.
- PS-252 Infantile Colic, Hyperkinetic Disorder, And Emotional And Behavioural Problems In Childhood - The Danish National BirthcohortMilidou I, Søndergaard C, Jensen, Liew Z, Olesen J, Henriksen T. PS-252 Infantile Colic, Hyperkinetic Disorder, And Emotional And Behavioural Problems In Childhood - The Danish National Birthcohort Archives Of Disease In Childhood 2014, 99: a203. DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2014-307384.551.
- Prenatal Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances and the Risk of Congenital Cerebral Palsy in ChildrenLiew Z, Ritz B, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC, Henriksen TB, Nohr EA, Bech BH, Fei C, Bossi R, von Ehrenstein OS, Streja E, Uldall P, Olsen J. Prenatal Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances and the Risk of Congenital Cerebral Palsy in Children American Journal Of Epidemiology 2014, 180: 574-581. PMID: 25139206, DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwu179.
- Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy, Behavioral Problems, and Hyperkinetic DisordersLiew Z, Ritz B, Rebordosa C, Lee PC, Olsen J. Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy, Behavioral Problems, and Hyperkinetic Disorders JAMA Pediatrics 2014, 168: 313-320. PMID: 24566677, DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.4914.
- Job Exposure Matrix (JEM) derived estimates of life-time occupational pesticide exposure and the risk of Parkinson’s DiseaseLiew Z, Wang A, Bronstein J, Ritz B. Job Exposure Matrix (JEM) derived estimates of life-time occupational pesticide exposure and the risk of Parkinson’s Disease ISEE Conference Abstracts 2013, 2013 DOI: 10.1289/isee.2013.p-2-23-14.
- Household Organophosphorus Pesticide Use and Parkinson's DiseaseNarayan S, Liew Z, Paul K, Lee P, Sinsheimer J, Bronstein J, Ritz B. Household Organophosphorus Pesticide Use and Parkinson's Disease ISEE Conference Abstracts 2013, 2013 DOI: 10.1289/isee.2013.p-3-23-13.