De-Kun Li, MD, PhD, MPH

De-Kun Li, MD, PhD, MPH Kaiser Permanente Division of Research
2000 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94612

De-Kun Li, MD, PhD, MPH, is a senior research scientist at the Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California. Dr. Li completed his medical training and master’s degree in public health at Shanghai Medical University, Shanghai, China. He then received his PhD in epidemiology from the University of Washington, Seattle. Dr. Li has conducted research in the areas of pregnancy outcomes, sudden infant death syndrome, women's health, breast cancer, pharmacological effects on pregnancy outcomes, genetic etiology, and occupational exposures since 1984. His research interests include: reproductive, perinatal, and pediatric epidemiology, such as etiology of miscarriage, sudden infant death syndrome, preterm delivery, preelcampsia, low birth, infertility, cerebral palsy, birth defects, pediatric diseases (including childhood cancer and neurological disorders), autoimmune diseases in relation to maternal-fetal interaction, breast cancer, and risk factors for low semen quality. Dr. Li’ research areas also include pharmacoepidemiolgical effect of medication use during pregnancy, genetic determinants of adverse pregnancy outcomes, the effect of electromagnetic fields on adverse pregnancy outcomes and low sperm quality, and the effect of endocrine disruptors, specifically Bisphenol A (BPA), on male and female reproductive systems. He is currently the associate editor of the American Journal of Epidemiology. Dr. Li has participated in a National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) sponsored panel evaluation of “Back to Sleep” campaign and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome risk. He has also served as a member on the Ad Hoc Committee reviewing the NICHD program project, and on several Special Emphasis Panels at National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and National Institute of Environmental Health and Sciences reviewing grant proposals. He has served as a member of the Policy Committee at the American College of Epidemiology. He was invited by the National Academy of Science to participate as a panel member in the U.S.-China Roundtable on Collaboration of Biomedical Research. In addition, he teaches at Stanford University and supervises doctoral students from the departments of epidemiology at UCB (University of California, Berkeley) and UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles).

Dr. Li has published extensively with 29 first-authored publications. He has obtained, as the principal investigator, numerous grants, ranging from $600,000 to $ 3.49 million from various federal agencies of the National Institutes of Health, as well as the California Public Health Foundation. Many of his publications have been widely reported by the national, international, and local news media including recent studies of caffeine intake and miscarriage, pacifier use and use of a fan in relation to SIDS risk, and depression during pregnancy and preterm delivery. Other examples of work receiving wide media coverage include the risk of miscarriage associated with EMF exposure, NSAID use and the risk of miscarriage, hot tub use during pregnancy and the risk of miscarriage, and maternal-fetal HLA compatibility and the risk of preterm delivery.

Current Position(s):

Research Scientist III, Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
Lecturer, Stanford University, Department of Health Research and Policy

Primary Research Interests:

Reproductive, prenatal, and pediatric epidemiology, such as etiology of infertility, miscarriage, preterm delivery, preeclampsia, sudden infant death syndrome, cerebral palsy, birth defects; pediatric diseases, including childhood cancer and neurological disorders; autoimmune diseases in relation to maternal-fetal interaction, and breast cancer.
Health effects of electromagnetic fields
Pharmacological effects of medication use during pregnancy on pregnancy outcomes
Genetic determinants of pregnancy outcomes
Risk factors for poor semen quality
Health effect of endocrine disruptors, especially Bisphenol A (BPA), on male and female reproductive systems

Evaluation of Novel H1N1 Influenza A Virus Infection and Vaccine Effectiveness among Pregnant Women, a High Risk Population Prioritized for Early Receipt of Vaccine

1. Estimate the effectiveness of vaccines for prevention of H1N1 infenction among pregnant women. 2. Examine the effect H1N1 infection on pregnancy outcomes. 3. Estimate vertical transmission of H1N1 infection 4. Examine the modifying factors for H1N1 effect on pregnant women 5. Follow up infant status by H1N1 infected women.
Funder: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Principal Investigator: Li, De-Kun

H1N1 Flu and Pregnancy: The Kaiser Permanente Experience

In this study we will examine all pregnancies within the four regions of KP populations to identify women with ILI (influenza like illness) at any time during pregnancy at a time period when there was significant local circulation of swine flu in the immediate surrounding community. We will then compare their pregnancy and infant birth outcomes to: (a) the outcomes of women who were pregnant at the same time period but did not have a medical care visit for ILI during their pregnancy, and (b) the outcomes of women who sought medical care for ILI during pregnancy during the current seasonal influenza season and the seasonal influenza of the past 5 years.
Funder: Kaiser Permanente Community Benefit Program
Principal Investigator: Li, De-Kun

Fetal Risks of Immunosuppressive Drugs in Autoimmune Disease

The primary aim of this study is to examine whether exposure to biologics medication during pregnancy increases the risk of adverse birth outcomes.
Funder: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Principal Investigator: Li, De-Kun

Prenatal use of ACEI and the Risk of Congenital Heart Defects

This study compares the prevalence of birth defects among women who used ACE inhibitors during the first trimester of pregnancy, women who used other antihypertensive medications, and those who did not use any antihypertensive medications.
Funder: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Principal Investigator: Li, De-Kun

Exposure to Bisphenol A and Reproductive Effect in Humans

This study evaluates the reproductive effects of BPA in settings where there have been high levels of exposure. The study will also investigate effects in multiple human generations.
Funder: Nat. Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health
Principal Investigator: Li, De-Kun

Medication Use in Pregnancy and Birth Outcomes

This study identifies pregnant women who were exposed to medications during prengancy so that cohort or case-controls studies can be conducted once signals for potential adverse outcomes are generated.
Funder: Food and Drug Administration
Principal Investigator: Li, De-Kun

Prenatal NSAID Use and Miscarriage

This project examines the risk of spontaneous abortion associated with prenatal NSAID use.
Funder: Nat. Inst. of Child Health and Human Dev.
Principal Investigator: Li, De-Kun

Prenatal MF Exposure and Miscarriage Risk Among Susceptible Women

This population-based, prospective cohort study examines the reported association of prenatal exposure to magnetic fields among susceptible and nonsusceptible pregnant women.
Funder: Nat. Inst. of Environmental Health Sciences
Principal Investigator: Li, De-Kun

Kaiser Permanente Division of Research