Faculty & Staff

Deborah B. Nelson
Assistant Professor of Public Health and Program Director: Master of Science in Epidemiology

Dr. Deborah B. Nelson is a reproductive epidemiologist with work focusing on environmental, genetic and behavioral factors influencing several pregnancy outcomes including spontaneous abortion and pre-eclampsia, , as well as studies exploring the role of various in-utero exposures and chronic health outcomes. Dr. Nelson is an Assistant Professor of Public Health and Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Department of Public Health, College of Health Professions and the Director of the Masters of Science in Epidemiology program. Dr Nelson’s projects include a prospective cohort study designed to examine the role of first trimester bacterial vaginosis and the risk of spontaneous abortion among pregnant women receiving prenatal care in Philadelphia, a prospective study examining the relationship between pelvic inflammatory disease and chronic pelvic pain and involuntary infertility, and a case-control study examining the association between inter-personal violence, psychosocial stress and spontaneous abortion. Dr. Nelson has published numerous manuscripts in the area of women’s health and reproduction and co-authored a book chapter on Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

Education:

University of Pittsburgh, Ph.D. in Epidemiology; 1998
State University of New York, Albany  MS in Epidemiology; 1991

Research Interests:

Epidemiology
Maternal-Child Health
Womens’ Health
Violence

Selected Publications and Presentations

Odibo AO, Stamilio DM, Nelson DB, Sehdev HM, Macones GA.  A Cost Effectiveness Analysis of Screening Strategies for Down Syndrome.  Am J Obstet Gynecol 2005 (in press)

Cahill A, Stamilio DM, Pare E, Peipert JP, Stevens EJ, Nelson DB, Macones GA.  VBAC Attempt in Twin Pregnancies: Is It Safe?  Am J Ob Gyn 2005 (in press).

Coassolo KM, Pare E, Stamilio DM, Peipert JF, Stevens E, Nelson DB, Macones GA.  The Safety and Efficacy of Vaginal Birth after Cesarean at > 40 Weeks Gestation. Am J Obtet Gynecol 2005; 106(4):700-6.

Nelson DB, Sammel MD, Freeman EW, Gracia CR, Liu L, Langan E.  Tubal Ligation Does Not Affect Hormonal Changes During the Early Menopausal Transition.  Contraception 2004 (In Press).

Nelson DB, Grisso JA, Joffee MM, Brensinger C, McMahon K, Shaw L, Datner E.  Does Violence Influence Early Pregnancy Loss? Fertility and Sterility 2003; 80(5): 1205-1211.

Garcia CR, Sammel MD, Freeman EW, Liu L, Hollander L, Nelson DB.  Predictors of Decreased Libido in Women During the Late Reproductive Years.  Menopause 2004; 11(2): 144-150.

Freeman EW, Sammel MD, Liu Li, Garcia CR, Nelson DB, Hollander L. Hormones and Menopausal Status as Predictors of Depression in Women in the Transition to Menopause. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2004; 61(1)62-70.

Ness RB, Randall H, Richter H, Peipert J, Montagno A, Soper DE, Sweet RL, Nelson DB, et al.  Condom use and the risk of recurrent pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pelvic pain, or infertility following an episode of pelvic inflammatory disease.  AJPH 2004; 94(8): 1327-1329.

Haggerty CL, Peipert JF, Weitzen S, Hendrix SL, Holley RL, Nelson DB, Randall H, Soper DE, Wiesenfeld HC, Ness RB.  Predictors of Chronic Pelvic Pain in an Urban Population of Women with Symptoms and Signs of Plevic Inflammatory Disease.  Sexually Transmitted Diseases 2004 (In Press).

Nelson DB, Sammel MD, Freeman EW, Liu L, Langan E, Gracia CR.  Predicting Participation in Prospective Cohort Studies.  Menopause 2003; 11(5):1-6.

Nelson DB.  Treatment and Management of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) in Pregnancy.  Womens Health 2006  (in press)