Shi-Wu Wen

Biography

Research

Perinatal Epidemiology

Dr. Shi Wu Wen is a perinatal epidemiologist. Dr. Wen has obtained, together with Dr. Mark Walker, a Canadian Foundation for Innovation New Opportunities grant to establish a research infrastructure in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. They have created a nationally recognized group in perinatal epidemiology, OMNI (Obstetrics and Maternal Newborn Investigations). They are one of the main themes of research in the clinical epidemiology program.

Supported by operating grants from CIHR, PSI and Sick Kids Foundation, Dr. Wen's current research focuses on the health effects of folic acid and prescription drugs in pregnancy. The training will be realized through supervised research projects for graduate students and post-MD or post-PhD fellows in perinatal health. For each trainee, we will develop an individualized, focused research project within the large-scale study.

Reseach Personnel - OMNI

• Shi Wu Wen, Co-Principal Investigator
• Mark Walker, Director
• Sarah McDonald, Investigator
• Ruth Rennicks White, RN, Research Mgr
• Diane Gorley, Research Administrative Assistant
• Lily Gillen, Administrative Assistant
• Wen Liang Zeng, Administrative Assistant
• Dr. Qiuying Yang, Post-Doctoral Fellow
• Dr. Xikuan Chen, International Post-Doctoral Fellow
• Dr. Juan Vazquez, International Post-Doctoral Fellow
• Lucy Chura, BScN
• Melanie Good, RN
• Laura Payant, BScN
• Pauline Shields, RPN
• Mandy Weselak, MSc

Current Grant Support

• Fetal macrosomia and adult obesity and associated diseases in China. Canadian Diabetes Association, $3,000 Wen SW
• CHOB Fetal macrosomia adolescent obesity. Canadian Diabetes Association, $224,333, (2004-2007) Wen SW, Walker, M, Sigal RJ, Nair, R, Mbikay, M.  
• STIRRHS Bursary Benzodiazepines in pregnancy and birth defects. STIRRHS, $76,000, (2004-2006). Yang Q, Wen SW, Walker M.  
• The development of collaborative research project in fetal macrosomia and adult obesity and associated diseases in China. Canadian Institute of Health Research, $22,250, (2004-2005) Wen SW, Walker M, Mbikay, M.  
• ANTAG The use of folic acid antagonists in pregnancy and the incidence of major birth defects and severe fetal growth restriction. Canadian Institute of Health Research, $140,290, (2004-2007) Wen SW, Walker M (Co-PI), Nimrod C, Fraser W, Olatunbosum.  
• Wyeth-CIHR Post-Graduate Fellowship Program. Wyeth/Canadian Institute of Health Research, $80,000, (2004-2005) Wen SW (Co-mentors), Walker M.  
• Salary Award: Epidemiologic study of determinants of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Canadian Institute of Health Research, $300,000, (2002-2007)  
• Infrastructure for Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Canadian Foundation for Innovation, $849,988 (2001-2005) Walker M, Wen SW (Co-PIs)  
• Infrastructure for Perinatal Epidemiology Unit Equipment, Canadian Foundation for Innovation, $101,966 (2003-2007). Walker M, Wen SW (Co-PIs)  
• FAST - Folic Acid Deficiency in Second Trimester and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes, $449,000 (2002-2005). Wen SW, Walker MC (Co-PIs), Rodger M, Perkins S, Sigal R  
• SSRIs Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in pregnancy and adverse fetal and infant outcomes. Sick Kids Foundation, $124,650 (2002-2004). Wen SW, Walker M, Nimrod C, Fraser W.  
• CDX Drugs Occurrence and determinants of exposure to FDA Class C,D,X Drugs in Pregnant Women, Physicians Services Incorporated, $104,000 (2002-2004). Wen SW, Walker M, Nimrod C, Fraser W, Olatunbosun O.  
• Oocyte Program on Oocyte Health (Group grant), Canadian Institute for Health Research, $2,781,266 ($300,000 SW Wen as Co-Pi), 2003-2007) Baltz J, Chian RC, Claman P, Clarke H, Wen SW, Walker M.  
• PE-NET Pre-eclampsia: Fetal & maternal outcomes and innovative therapies New Emerging Team, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, $1,739,481 (2003-2007). Smith G, Graham CH, Kisilevsky B, MacDonald S, Walker M, Wen SW.  
• TIGRESS Thrombophilia and intrauterine growth restriction study, Canadian Institute for Health Research, $1,100,000 (2003-2008). Rodger M, Walker M, Wells P, Nair R, Wen SW.  
• TOP-C Thrombophilia and outcomes of pregnancy cohort, Heart and Stroke Foundation, $131, 272 (2003-2005). Rodger M, Walker M, Wen SW, Wells P.  
• Cardiovascular and endocrine effects in childhood of inutero exposure to corticosteroids, Physicians Services Incorporated $162,000 (2001-2004). Walker M, Lougheed J, Gibb W, Nimrod C, Walker R, Lawson M, Wen SW.  
• PREA Genetic and environmental determinants of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Premiers Research Excellence Award, $150,000 (2003-2008). Wen SW, Walker M.  
• Post-Graduate Fellowship Program 2004. Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and Canadian Institute for Research Rx&D Research Program, $40,000/yr approx. (2004-2005, Wen SW, Walker M (Co-mentors).  
• Global Health Initiative (Seed Funding), Ottawa Health Research Institute, $20,000  
• Rx&D Special Research Allowance, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, $37,500 (2002-2003)

Publications (last 5 years)

• S W Wen, M S Kramer. Uses of ecological studies in the assessment of treatment outcomes. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology 52:7-12, 1999.  
• S Liu, Yang Mao, S W Wen , L Mery, J Rouleau. Birth cohort effects underlying the increasing testicular cancer incidence in Canada. Canadian Journal of Public Health 145:176-180, 1999.
• S Liu, S W Wen. A deterministic computer procedure to link hospital discharge records for epidemiologic study of neonatal readmission. Chronic Disease in Canada 20:77-81, 1999.
• S W Wen, S Liu, K S Joseph, K Trouton, A Allen. Regional pattern of infant mortality caused by congenital anomalies. Canadian Journal of Public Health 90:316-9, 1999
• S W Wen, L Mery, M S Kramer, V Jimenez, K Trouton, P Herbert, B Chalmers. Attitudes of Canadian women toward birthing centres and midwife care for childbirth. Canadian Medical Association Journal 161:708-709, 1999.
• S Liu, S W Wen, D McMillan, K Trouton, D Fowler, C McCourt. The association between decreased length of hospital stay at birth and increased neonatal readmission rates in Canada. Canadian Journal of Public Health 91:46-50, 2000.
• M Fair, M Cyr, A Allen, S W Wen, G Guyon, R C MacDonald. An assessment of the validity of a computer system for probabilistic record linkage of birth and infant death records in Canada. Chronic Disease in Canada 21:8-13, 2000.
• S W Wen, M S Kramer, S Liu, S Dzakpasu, R Sauve for the Fetal and Infant Mortality Study Group, Canadian Perinatal Surveillance System. Infant mortality by gestational age and birth weight among Canadian provinces and territories, 1990-1994 births. Chronic Disease in Canada 21:14-22, 2000.
• S W Wen, S Liu, K S Joseph, J Rouleau, A Allen. Patterns of infant mortality caused by congenital anomalies. Teratology 61:342-346, 2000.
• S W Wen, J Rouleau, R B Lowry, B Kinakin, S Anderson-Redick, B Sibbald, T Turner. Congenital anomalies ascertained by two record systems run in parallel in the Canadian province of Alberta. Canadian Journal of Public Health 91:193-196, 2000.
• H Lei, S W Wen. Distribution of placenta grading by gestational week. Journal of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada 22:374-377, 2000.
• S Liu, R Simunovic, C Waters, S W Wen, Y Mao. Time trends and sex patterns in Hodgkins disease incidence in Canada, 1970-1995. Canadian Journal of Public Health 91:188-192, 2000.
• C Yi Li, S C Wu, S W Wen. Lifetime longest-held occupation and risk of disability in activities of daily living. Occupational and Environmental Medicine 57:550-554, 2000.
• S Liu, R Simunovic, C Waters, S W Wen, L S. Mery, Yang Mao. Clues to the etiologic heterogeneity of testicular seminoma and non-seminomas: time trends and age-period-cohort effects. International Journal of Epidemiology 29:826-31, 2000.
• K S Joseph, M S Kramer, A Allen, M Cyr, M Fair, A Ohlsson, S W Wen. Gestational age- and birth weight-specific declines in infant mortality in Canada, 1985-94 Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology 14:332-9, 2000.
• S W Wen, K Demissie, S Liu, S Marcoux, M S Kramer. Placenta previa and male sex at birth: results from a large population in the Canadian province of Quebec. Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology 14:300-4, 2000.
• S W Wen, S Liu, M S Kramer, K S Joseph, S Marcoux, C Levitt, R Liston. The impact of prenatal glucose screening on the diagnosis and consequences of gestational diabetes. American Journal of Epidemiology 152:1009-14, 2000.
• E S Bland, L Oppenheimer, P Holmes, S W Wen. The effect of income pooling within a call group on rates of obstetric intervention. Canadian Medical Association Journal 164:337-9, 2001
• K S Joseph, M S Kramer, A Allen, L Mery, R Platt, S W Wen. Implausible birth weight for gestational age. American Journal of Epidemiology 153:110-3, 2001.
• S W Wen, K Demissie, S Liu. Adverse outcomes in pregnancies of asthmatic women: results from a Canadian population. Annuals of Epidemiology 11:7-12, 2001.
• S W Wen, M S Kramer, S Marcoux, S Liu, R Liston, A Ohlsson. Comparison of maternal and infant outcomes between vacuum extraction and forceps deliveries. American Journal of Epidemiology 153:103-7, 2001.
• S Liu, S W Wen, K Demissie, S Marcoux, M S Kramer. Maternal asthma and pregnancy outcomes: A retrospective cohort study. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 184:90-6, 2001.
• S W Wen, K Demissie, D August, G G Rhoads. Level of aggregation for optimal analysis in epidemiology. The case of time to surgery and unnecessary removal of normal appendix. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 55:198-203, 2001.
• M S Kramer, R Platt, L Mery, K S Joseph, S W Wen. A new and improved population-based reference of birth weight for gestational age. Pediatrics Electronic Edition, August 2001.
• S W Wen, K S Joseph, M S Kramer, K Demissie, L Oppenheimer, R Liston, A Allen for the Fetal and Infant Mortality Study Group, Canadian Perinatal Surveillance System. Recent secular trends in fetal and infant outcomes among post-term pregnancies. Chronic Disease in Canada 22:1-5, 2001.
• L M Chen, S W Wen, C Y Li. The impact of national health insurance on the utilization of health care services by pregnant women - The case in Taiwan. Maternal and Child Health Journal 5:35-41, 2001.
• K S Joseph, S Marcoux, A Ohlsson, S Liu, A C Allen, M S Kramer, S W Wen For the Fetal and Infant Health Study Group of the Canadian Perinatal Surveillance System. Changes in stillbirth and infant mortality associated with increases in preterm birth among twins. Pediatrics 108: 1055-61, 2001.
• S Liu, K S Joseph, S W Wen, M S Kramer, S Marcoux, A Ohlsson, R Sauve. Differential secular trends in congenital anomaly-related fetal and infant mortality according to gestational age. American Journal of Medical Genetics 104: 7-13, 2001.
• P Holmes, L Oppenheimer, S W Wen. The relationship between cervical dilation at initial presentation in labour and subsequent intervention. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 108: 1120-4, 2001.
• R W Platt, M Abrahamowicz, M S Kramer, K S Joseph ,L Mery, B Blondel, B Beart, S W Wen Detecting and eliminating erroneous gestational ages: a normal mixture model.
• Statistics in Medicine 2001; 20:3491-503.
• B Blondel, M D Kogan, M S Kramer,B Beart, S W Wen. The impact of the increasing number of multiple births on the rates of preterm birth and low birthweight: An international study. American Medical Journal of Public Health, 2002: 91: 1323-30.
• K S Joseph, S Marcoux, A Ohlsson, S Liu, A Allen, M S Kramer, S W Wen. Preterm birth, stillbirth and infant mortality among triplet births in Canada, 1985-96. Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2002; 16: 141-8.
• S Liu, K S Joseph, M S Kramer, A Allen, R Sauve, I D Rusen, S W Wen, R Wilkins. Relationship of Prenatal Diagnosis and Pregnancy Termination on Overall Infant Mortality in Canada. Journal of American Medical Association 2002; 287: 1561-7.
• L Oppenheimer, E Bland, A Dabrowski, P Holmes, S W Wen. Uterine contraction pattern as a predictor of the mode of delivery. Journal of Perinatology 2002; 22: 149-53.
• S Liu, K S Joseph, S W Wen. Trends in fetal and infant deaths due to congenital anomalies. Seminar Perinatology. 2002; 26:268-76.
• C V Ananth, S W Wen. Trends in fetal growth in the United States and Canada among singleton gestations, 1985 through 1998. Seminar Perinatology. 2002;26:260-7.
• S Liu, M Heaman, M S Kramer, S W Wen. Association between length of stay, obstetric conditions at childbirth and maternal readmission. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2002; 187:681-7.
• M S Kramer, H Yang H, R Platt, H McNamara, R H Usher, K S Joseph, S W Wen. Why are babies getting bigger? Secular trends in fetal growth and its determinants. Journal of Pediatrics 2002; 141: 538-42.
• S W Wen, L M Chen, C Y Li, M S Kramer, A Allen. International comparison of birth weight-specific feto-infant mortality - The impact of missing birth weight in deceased versus surviving fetuses and infants. Chronic Disease in Canada 2002;23:146-51.
• Y Mao, S Pan , S W Wen, K C Johnson and the Canadian Cancer Registries Epidemiology Research Group. Physical inactivity, energy intake, obesity and the risk of rectal cancer in Canada. International Journal of Cancer. 2003;105: 831-837
• S W Wen, M S Kramer, H Yang, R Platt, K Demissie, K S Joseph, R Sauve. Secular trends in fetal growth in Canada, 1981 to 1997. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology , October 2003, 17(4): 347-354
• K S Joseph, S Liu, K Demissie, S W Wen, R W Platt, C V Ananth, S Dzakpasu, R Sauve, A C Allen, M S Kramer. A parsimonious explanation for intersecting perinatal mortality curves: understanding the effect of plurality and of parity. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2003; 3:3 (02 Jun 2003)
• S W Wen, H Lei, M Walker. Determinants of Caesarean Delivery Among Women Hospitalized for Childbirth in a Remote Population in China. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Canada, November 2003, 25(11): 937-943
• S Pan, Y Mao, K C Johnson, S W Wen. Physical Activity and the Risk of Lung Cancer in Canada American Journal of Epidemiololgy 2003; 158(6): 564-75
• Pan SY, Johnson KC, Ugnat AM, Wen SW, Mao Y. Association of Obesity and Cancer Risk in Canada American Journal of Epidemiology 2004 Feb 1; 159(3): 259-68
• H Tan, SW Wen, M Walker (W Mark), K Fung Kee Fung, K, Demissie, GG Rhoads. The association between fetal sex and preterm birth in twin pregnancies. Obstetrics and Gynecology 2004 Feb; 103(2): 327-32
• S W Wen, K Fung Kee Fung, L Oppenheimer, K Demissie, Q Y Yang, M Walker. Occurrence and predictors of ceasarean delivery for the second born twin after vaginal delivery of the first twin. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2004 Mar; 103(3): 413-9
• S W Wen, H Lei, R Sauve, M S Kramer. Determinants of intrapartum fetal death in a remote and indigent population in China. Journal of Perinatology. 2004 Feb; 24(2): 77-81
• S W Wen, K Demissie, Q Y Yang, M. Walker. Maternal morbidity and obstetric complications in triplets and quadruplets and higher order multiples. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 191/1; 254-258
• Chalmers B, Wen SW. Perinatal Care in Canada. BMC Womens Health, 2004 Aug 25;4 Suppl 1: S28
• S W Wen, Mark Walker. The risk of fetal exposure to folic acid antagonists. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Canada, 2004; 26(5): 475-479
• Walker M, Murphy K, Saiyi P, Yang Q, Wen SW. Adverse maternal outcomes in multi-fetal pregnancies. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Nov 2004, 111; 1294-1296
• Sai Yi Pan, Anne-Marie Ugnat, Yang Mao, Shi Wu Wen, Kenneth C. Johnson A case-control study of diet and the risk of ovarian cancer. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers 7 Prevention, 2004; 13(9), 1521-1527
• Shiliang Liu, ID Rusen, KS Joseph, Robert Liston, Michael S Kramer, Shi Wu Wen, Robert Kinch. Recent trends in caesarean delivery rates and indications for caesarean delivery in Canada. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Canada, 2004; 26(8): 735-42
• Shi Wu Wen, Karen Fung Kee Fung, Lawrence Oppenheimer, Kitaw Demissie, Qiuying Yang, Mark Walker. Neonatal morbidity in second twin according to gestational age at birth and mode of delivery. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2004: 191, 773-777.
• Shi Wu Wen, Karen Fung Kee Fung, Lawrence Oppenheimer, Kitaw Demissie, Qiuying Yang, Mark Walker. Neonatal mortality in second twin according to cause of death, gestational age and mode of delivery. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2004: 191, 778-783
• Bahauddin I. Sallout, Karen Fung Kee Fung, Shi W. Wen, Laura M. Medd, Mark C. Walker. The effect of fetal behavioural states on middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2004; 191: 1283-7
• Wen SW, Rusen ID, Walker M, Liston R, Kramer MS, Baskett T, Heaman M, Liu S. Comparison of maternal mortality and morbidity between trial of labour and elective caesarean section among women with previous delivery, 1988 to 2000. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2004 191:1263-69
• SW Wen, M Walker. The use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in pregnancy. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Canada. 2004. Sep;191(3): 773-777
• S W Wen, Mark Walker. Risk of fetal exposure to tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Canada 2004 26(10); 887-92
• SW Wen, M Walker, A Leader. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICS): Promises and challenges. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2004 Oct 12; 171(8): 845-46
• Tan H, Wen SW, Walker M, Demissie K. Missing paternal demographics: A novel indicator for idntifying high risk population of adverse pregnancy outcomes. BiodMed Central, Pregnancy and Childbirth 2004. 4:21 (13 Nov 2004)
• Yang Q, Wu Wen S, Dubois L, Chen Y, Walker MC, Krewski D. Determinants of breast-feeding and weaning in Alberta, Canada. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Canada, Nov; 26(11): 975-81
• Tan HZ, Luo YJ, Wen SW, Liu AZ, Li SQ, Yang TB, Sun ZQ. The effect of a disastrous flood on the quality of life in Dongting lake are in China. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health 2004; 16(2): 126-132
• S W Wen, Mark Walker. Folic acid in pregnancy: An exploration of health effects beyond reducing neural tube defects. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Canada In Press
• H Tan, S W Wen, F Gagnon, M Walker. The estimation of heritability for twin data based on concordance of sex and disease. Chronic Diseases in Canada. In press