Thomas Newman, MD, MPH

Dr. Newman uses methods of epidemiology to do research on clinical problems in pediatrics, such as jaundice and infections in newborn babies, urinary tract infections and cholesterol screening.
He has a long term interest in teaching clinical research methods and is coauthor of two textbooks: Designing Clinical Research (5th edition, with Warren Browner and others, 2022) and Evidence-Based Diagnosis (2nd edition, with Dr. Michael Kohn, 2020).
Education
Post-Doc Fellow/Scholar, 1985 - Clinical Epidemiology, University of California, San Francisco
MPH, 1984 - Epidemiology, University of California, Berkeley
Residency, 1983 - Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco
MD, 1980 - Medicine, University of California San Diego
BA, 1976 - Chemistry, University of California Santa Cruz
Honors and Awards
  • Consultant of the Year Award, UCSF Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, 2022
  • Outstanding Lecture Award (for lecture on climate change and nuclear weapons), UCSF Medical Students, 2020
  • Miller-Sarkin Mentoring Award, Academic Pediatrics Association, 2016
  • Best Short Course (with Dr. Michael Kohn), Society for Medical Decision Making, 2012
  • Faculty Sustainability Award, UCSF Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Sustainability, 2011
  • Elizabeth Leistikow Lifetime Achievement Award for Evidence-Based Pediatrics, American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Epidemiology, 2010
  • Stephen B. Hulley Award for Excellence in Teaching Clinical Research, UCSF Training in Clinical Research Program, 2010
  • Research Award, Academic Pediatrics Association, 2004
Websites
  1. Tran L, Lansing L, Cunningham M, Ho J, Deckers T, Newman T, Wu L, Gregoris AS, Zorz J, Muntz L, Lee K, Trépanier-Leroux D, Conflitti IM, Pepinelli M, Walsh EM, Morfin N, Powell JE, Moran N, Hoover SE, Pernal SF, Currie RW, Giovenazzo P, Guzman-Novoa E, Jabbari H, Foster LJ, Zayed A, Ortega Polo R, Guarna MM. Gut microbiome metagenomic sequences of honey bees (Apis mellifera) exposed to crops. Microbiology resource announcements 2025. PMID: 39902954






  2. Kemper AR, Newman TB, Jeffrey Maisels M, Watchko JF. Clarifying the Role of Serum Albumin in Hyperbilirubinemia Management. Hospital pediatrics 2024. PMID: 39651847


  3. Cornet MC, Kuzniewicz MW, Scheffler AW, Gaw SL, Yeh P, Newman TB, Wu YW. Epidural Analgesia During Labor and Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy. JAMA network open 2024. PMID: 39283635


  4. Liang D, Schroeder AR, Maleknia L, Allan JM, Kane M, Jones VG, Patel RJ, Newman TB, Roberts KB, Wang ME. Mislabeled Bag Urine Cultures and Antibiotic Treatment Decisions. Pediatrics 2024. PMID: 38919984





  5. Cornet MC, Kuzniewicz M, Scheffler A, Forquer H, Hamilton E, Newman TB, Wu YW. Perinatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: Incidence Over Time Within a Modern US Birth Cohort. Pediatric neurology 2023. PMID: 37883841



  6. Wang ME, Jones VG, Kane M, Allan JM, Maleknia L, Patel R, Ip W, Newman TB, Roberts KB, Schroeder AR. Clinical course of children 1-24 months old with positive urine cultures without pyuria. Academic pediatrics 2023. PMID: 37354950


  7. Mediratta RP, Newman TB, Wang ME. Research Methods: Diagnostic Test Characteristics. Hospital pediatrics 2023. PMID: 37144292


  8. Wickremasinghe AC, Kuzniewicz MW, Walsh EM, Li S, Newman TB. NICU Versus Mother/Baby Unit Admission for Low-Acuity Infants Born at 35 Weeks' Gestation. Pediatrics 2023. PMID: 36994638




  9. Kemper AR, Newman TB, Slaughter JL, Maisels MJ, Watchko JF, Downs SM, Grout RW, Bundy DG, Stark AR, Bogen DL, Holmes AV, Feldman-Winter LB, Bhutani VK, Brown SR, Maradiaga Panayotti GM, Okechukwu K, Rappo PD, Russell TL. Clinical Practice Guideline Revision: Management of Hyperbilirubinemia in the Newborn Infant 35 or More Weeks of Gestation. Pediatrics 2022. PMID: 35927462


  10. Kuzniewicz MW, Li SX, McCulloch CE, Newman TB. Predicting the Need for Phototherapy After Discharge: Update for 2022 Phototherapy Guidelines. Pediatrics 2022. PMID: 35927471



  11. Guterman EL, Sporer KA, Newman TB, Crowe RP, Lowenstein DH, Josephson SA, Betjemann JP, Burke JF. Real-World Midazolam Use and Outcomes With Out-of-Hospital Treatment of Status Epilepticus in the United States. Annals of emergency medicine 2022. PMID: 35931608


  12. Digitale JC, Chang PW, Li SX, Kuzniewicz MW, Newman TB. The Effect of Readmission for Phototherapy on Early Breast Milk Feeding. 2022. PMID: 35437576


  13. Cornet MC, Kemper AR, Maisels MJ, Watchko J, Newman TB. Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and bilirubin neurotoxicity: what can be learned from the database analysis? 2022. PMID: 35136201



  14. Digitale JC, Kim MO, Kuzniewicz MW, Newman TB. Update on Phototherapy and Childhood Cancer in a Northern California Cohort. 2021. PMID: 34716218


  15. Kolodzie K, Cakmakkaya OS, Boparai ES, Tavakol M, Feiner JR, Kim MO, Newman TB, Niemann CU. Perioperative Normal Saline Administration and Delayed Graft Function in Patients Undergoing Kidney Transplantation: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Anesthesiology 2021. PMID: 34265037


  16. Moderators , de Ferranti SD, Kazi DS, Experts , Bibbins-Domingo K, Daniels S, Howaniec B, Khera AV, Newman TB, Vernacchio L. Perspectives on Identifying and Treating Familial Hypercholesterolemia in Childhood. Clinical chemistry 2021. PMID: 34491300


  17. Weiss NM, Kuzniewicz MW, Shimano KA, Walsh EM, Newman TB. Use of Complete Blood Cell Count Components to Screen for Hereditary Spherocytosis in Neonates. Pediatrics 2021. PMID: 34376530



  18. Digitale JC, Chang PW, Li SX, Kuzniewicz MW, Newman TB. The effect of hospital phototherapy on early breastmilk feeding. Paediatric and perinatal epidemiology 2021. PMID: 34184759


  19. Kuzniewicz MW, Park J, Niki H, Walsh EM, McCulloch CE, Newman TB. Predicting the Need for Phototherapy After Discharge. Pediatrics 2021. PMID: 33903163




  20. Coon ER, Newman TB, Hall M, Wilkes J, Bratton SL, Schroeder AR. Trends in Imaging Findings, Interventions, and Outcomes Among Children With Isolated Head Trauma. Pediatric emergency care 2021. PMID: 29698347


  21. Digitale JC, Newman TB. New Statin Use and Mortality in Older Veterans. JAMA 2020. PMID: 33170235



  22. Newman TB, Kemper AR. Avoiding Harm From Hyperbilirubinemia Screening. JAMA pediatrics 2019. PMID: 31589273



  23. Chang PW, Newman TB. A Simpler Prediction Rule for Rebound Hyperbilirubinemia. Pediatrics 2019. PMID: 31196939




  24. Newman TB, Wu YW, Kuzniewicz MW, Grimes BA, McCulloch CE. Childhood Seizures After Phototherapy. Pediatrics 2018. PMID: 30249623


  25. Kuzniewicz MW, Niki H, Walsh EM, McCulloch CE, Newman TB. Hyperbilirubinemia, Phototherapy, and Childhood Asthma. Pediatrics 2018. PMID: 30209075



  26. Schroeder AR, Newman TB. Randomized Trials in Children With UTI. Pediatrics 2017. PMID: 29187581


  27. Kuzniewicz MW, Puopolo KM, Fischer A, Walsh EM, Li S, Newman TB, Kipnis P, Escobar GJ. A Quantitative, Risk-Based Approach to the Management of Neonatal Early-Onset Sepsis. JAMA pediatrics 2017. PMID: 28241253



  28. Chang PW, Kuzniewicz MW, McCulloch CE, Newman TB. A Clinical Prediction Rule for Rebound Hyperbilirubinemia Following Inpatient Phototherapy. Pediatrics 2017. PMID: 28196932



  29. Teherani A, Nishimura H, Apatira L, Newman T, Ryan S. Identification of core objectives for teaching sustainable healthcare education. Medical education online 2017. PMID: 29025363




  30. Newman TB, Wickremasinghe AC, Walsh EM, Grimes BA, McCulloch CE, Kuzniewicz MW. Phototherapy and Risk of Type 1 Diabetes. Pediatrics 2016. PMID: 27940766


  31. Newman TB, Schroeder AR, Pletcher MJ. Lipid Screening in Children: Low-Value Care. JAMA internal medicine 2016. PMID: 27533131


  32. Wu YW, Kuzniewicz MW, Croen L, Walsh EM, McCulloch CE, Newman TB. Risk of Autism Associated With Hyperbilirubinemia and Phototherapy. Pediatrics 2016. PMID: 27669736



  33. Wickremasinghe AC, Kuzniewicz MW, Grimes BA, McCulloch CE, Newman TB. Neonatal Phototherapy and Infantile Cancer. Pediatrics 2016. PMID: 27217478


  34. Newman TB, Wickremasinghe AC, Walsh EM, Grimes BA, McCulloch CE, Kuzniewicz MW. Retrospective Cohort Study of Phototherapy and Childhood Cancer in Northern California. Pediatrics 2016. PMID: 27217477




  35. Wickremasinghe AC, Risley RJ, Kuzniewicz MW, Wu YW, Walsh EM, Wi S, McCulloch CE, Newman TB. Risk of Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Bilirubin Exchange Transfusion Thresholds. Pediatrics 2015. PMID: 26283777


  36. Wu YW, Kuzniewicz MW, Wickremasinghe AC, Walsh EM, Wi S, McCulloch CE, Newman TB. Risk for cerebral palsy in infants with total serum bilirubin levels at or above the exchange transfusion threshold: a population-based study. JAMA pediatrics 2015. PMID: 25560920




  37. Kuzniewicz MW, Wickremasinghe AC, Wu YW, McCulloch CE, Walsh EM, Wi S, Newman TB. Incidence, etiology, and outcomes of hazardous hyperbilirubinemia in newborns. Pediatrics 2014. PMID: 25092943



  38. Clark T, Newman TB. Baseline sodium may matter. The Journal of pediatrics 2014. PMID: 25039046



  39. Escobar GJ, Puopolo KM, Wi S, Turk BJ, Kuzniewicz MW, Walsh EM, Newman TB, Zupancic J, Lieberman E, Draper D. Stratification of risk of early-onset sepsis in newborns = 34 weeks' gestation. Pediatrics 2013. PMID: 24366992



  40. Kuzniewicz MW, Wickremasinghe AC, Newman TB. Invited commentary: does neonatal hyperbilirubinemia cause asthma? American journal of epidemiology 2013. PMID: 24186968


  41. Crisham Janik MD, Newman TB, Cheng YW, Xing G, Gilbert WM, Wu YW. Maternal diagnosis of obesity and risk of cerebral palsy in the child. The Journal of pediatrics 2013. PMID: 23932316




  42. Flaherman VJ, Aby J, Burgos AE, Lee KA, Cabana MD, Newman TB. Effect of early limited formula on duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding in at-risk infants: an RCT. Pediatrics 2013. PMID: 23669513


  43. Newman TB, Pletcher MJ, Hulley SB. Re: Childhood lipid screening: evidence and conflicts. Pediatrics 2013. PMID: 23547043


  44. Wickremasinghe AC, Kuzniewicz MW, Newman TB. Black race is not protective against hazardous bilirubin levels. The Journal of pediatrics 2013. PMID: 23403251




  45. Marmor A, Newman T. Response to Drs Hoberman and Paradise. Evidence-based medicine 2012. PMID: 22440558


  46. Lang TC, Fuentes-Afflick E, Gilbert WM, Newman TB, Xing G, Wu YW. Cerebral palsy among Asian ethnic subgroups. Pediatrics 2012. PMID: 22430449



  47. Schroeder AR, Harris SJ, Newman TB. Safely doing less: a missing component of the patient safety dialogue. Pediatrics 2011. PMID: 22123887



  48. Puopolo KM, Draper D, Wi S, Newman TB, Zupancic J, Lieberman E, Smith M, Escobar GJ. Estimating the probability of neonatal early-onset infection on the basis of maternal risk factors. Pediatrics 2011. PMID: 22025590








  49. Brooks JC, Fisher-Owens SA, Wu YW, Strauss DJ, Newman TB. Evidence suggests there was not a "resurgence" of kernicterus in the 1990s. Pediatrics 2011. PMID: 21444599


  50. Newman TB, Croen LA. Jaundice-autism link unconvincing. Pediatrics 2011. PMID: 21364023


  51. Burgos AE, Flaherman VJ, Newman TB. Screening and follow-up for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia: a review. Clinical pediatrics 2011. PMID: 21357204


  52. Davis AR, Rosenthal P, Escobar GJ, Newman TB. Interpreting conjugated bilirubin levels in newborns. The Journal of pediatrics 2010. PMID: 21074172


  53. Newman TB, Puopolo KM, Wi S, Draper D, Escobar GJ. Interpreting complete blood counts soon after birth in newborns at risk for sepsis. Pediatrics 2010. PMID: 20974782


  54. Cornia PB, Hersh AL, Lipsky BA, Newman TB, Gonzales R. Does this coughing adolescent or adult patient have pertussis? JAMA 2010. PMID: 20736473



  55. Usatin D, Liljestrand P, Kuzniewicz MW, Escobar GJ, Newman TB. Effect of neonatal jaundice and phototherapy on the frequency of first-year outpatient visits. Pediatrics 2010. PMID: 20231183



  56. Newman TB, Pletcher MJ. Coronary calcium screening. The New England journal of medicine 2009. PMID: 20050217


  57. Kohn MA, Fahimi J, Newman TB, Sostman HD, Stein PD, Hull RD. Result categories for ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy. Radiology 2009. PMID: 19864536



  58. Maisels MJ, Bhutani VK, Bogen D, Newman TB, Stark AR, Watchko JF. Hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn infant > or =35 weeks' gestation: an update with clarifications. Pediatrics 2009. PMID: 19786452






  59. Newman TB, Kuzniewicz MW, Liljestrand P, Wi S, McCulloch C, Escobar GJ. Numbers needed to treat with phototherapy according to American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines. Pediatrics 2009. PMID: 19403502





  60. Kuzniewicz M, Escobar GJ, Newman TB. No association between hyperbilirubinemia and attention-deficit disorder. Pediatrics 2009. PMID: 19171601


  61. Luginbuhl LM, Newman TB, Pantell RH, Finch SA, Wasserman RC. Office-based treatment and outcomes for febrile infants with clinically diagnosed bronchiolitis. Pediatrics 2008. PMID: 18977972



  62. Kuzniewicz MW, Escobar GJ, Wi S, Liljestrand P, McCulloch C, Newman TB. Risk factors for severe hyperbilirubinemia among infants with borderline bilirubin levels: a nested case-control study. The Journal of pediatrics 2008. PMID: 18534217



  63. Kennedy CC, Jaeschke R, Keitz S, Newman T, Montori V, Wyer PC, Guyatt G, Evidence-Based Medicine Teaching Tips Working Group. Tips for teachers of evidence-based medicine: adjusting for prognostic imbalances (confounding variables) in studies on therapy or harm. Journal of general internal medicine 2008. PMID: 18175191


  64. Liljestrand P, Jeremy RJ, Wu YW, Ferriero DM, Escobar GJ, Newman TB. Use of the motor performance checklist to study motor outcomes in 5-year-olds. Journal of paediatrics and child health 2007. PMID: 17803665



  65. Escobar GJ, Liljestrand P, Hudes ES, Ferriero DM, Wu YW, Jeremy RJ, Newman TB. Five-year neurodevelopmental outcome of neonatal dehydration. The Journal of pediatrics 2007. PMID: 17643761






  66. Maisels MJ, Newman TB, Watchko JF. Effect of predischarge bilirubin screening on subsequent hyperbilirubinemia. Pediatrics 2006. PMID: 17015577



  67. Wu YW, Croen LA, Shah SJ, Newman TB, Najjar DV. Cerebral palsy in a term population: risk factors and neuroimaging findings. Pediatrics 2006. PMID: 16882824


  68. Newman TB, Liljestrand P, Jeremy RJ, Ferriero DM, Wu YW, Hudes ES, Escobar GJ, Jaundice and Infant Feeding Study Team. Outcomes among newborns with total serum bilirubin levels of 25 mg per deciliter or more. The New England journal of medicine 2006. PMID: 16672700








  69. Leslie LK, Newman TB, Chesney PJ, Perrin JM. The Food and Drug Administration's deliberations on antidepressant use in pediatric patients. Pediatrics 2005. PMID: 15995053



  70. Croen LA, Yoshida CK, Odouli R, Newman TB. Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and risk of autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics 2005. PMID: 15687420



  71. Escobar GJ, Shaheen SM, Breed EM, Botas C, Greene JD, Yoshida CK, Zupancic J, Newman TB. Richardson score predicts short-term adverse respiratory outcomes in newborns >/=34 weeks gestation. The Journal of pediatrics 2004. PMID: 15580196


  72. McGinn T, Wyer PC, Newman TB, Keitz S, Leipzig R, For GG, Evidence-Based Medicine Teaching Tips Working Group. Tips for learners of evidence-based medicine: 3. Measures of observer variability (kappa statistic). CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne 2004. PMID: 15557592



  73. Bhutani VK, Johnson LH, Jeffrey Maisels M, Newman TB, Phibbs C, Stark AR, Yeargin-Allsopp M. Kernicterus: epidemiological strategies for its prevention through systems-based approaches. Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association 2004. PMID: 15254556


  74. Montori VM, Kleinbart J, Newman TB, Keitz S, Wyer PC, Moyer V, Guyatt G, Evidence-Based Medicine Teaching Tips Working Group. Tips for learners of evidence-based medicine: 2. Measures of precision (confidence intervals). CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne 2004. PMID: 15367466


  75. Wu YW, March WM, Croen LA, Grether JK, Escobar GJ, Newman TB. Perinatal stroke in children with motor impairment: a population-based study. Pediatrics 2004. PMID: 15342829


  76. Newman TB, Liljestrand PJ, Escobar GJ. Hyperbilirubinemia benchmarking. Pediatrics 2004. PMID: 15231954



  77. Pantell RH, Newman TB, Bernzweig J, Bergman DA, Takayama JI, Segal M, Finch SA, Wasserman RC. Management and outcomes of care of fever in early infancy. JAMA 2004. PMID: 15010441



  78. Schroeder AR, Marmor A, Newman TB. Pulse oximetry in bronchiolitis patients. Pediatrics 2003. PMID: 14654639


  79. Wu YW, Escobar GJ, Grether JK, Croen LA, Greene JD, Newman TB. Chorioamnionitis and cerebral palsy in term and near-term infants. JAMA 2003. PMID: 14645309


  80. Maisels MJ, Newman TB. Neonatal jaundice and urinary tract infections. Pediatrics 2003. PMID: 14595074





  81. Newman TB, Maisels MJ. How to avoid kernicterus. The Journal of pediatrics 2003. PMID: 12584551




  82. Newman TB, Maisels MJ. Magnetic resonance imaging and kernicterus. Pediatrics 2002. PMID: 11875162


  83. Escobar GJ, Gonzales VM, Armstrong MA, Folck BF, Xiong B, Newman TB. Rehospitalization for neonatal dehydration: a nested case-control study. Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine 2002. PMID: 11814377




  84. Newman TB. Circumcisions: again. Pediatrics 2001. PMID: 11491119


  85. Varosy PD, Newman TB. Acute pharyngitis. The New England journal of medicine 2001. PMID: 11357847





  86. Takayama JI, Teng W, Uyemoto J, Newman TB, Pantell RH. Body temperature of newborns: what is normal? Clinical pediatrics 2000. PMID: 11005363



  87. Newman TB, Garber AM. Cholesterol screening in children and adolescents. Pediatrics 2000. PMID: 10699121


  88. Newman TB, Escobar GJ, Gonzales VM, Armstrong MA, Gardner MN, Folck BF. Frequency of neonatal bilirubin testing and hyperbilirubinemia in a large health maintenance organization. Pediatrics 1999. PMID: 10545573





  89. Frothingham EP, Newman TB. Computed tomography of the appendix. The New England journal of medicine 1998. PMID: 9634364



  90. Newman TB, Takayama JI. Urinary tract infection controversy and questions. Pediatrics 1998. PMID: 9556412






  91. Newman TB, Klebanoff MA, Maisels MJ. Bilirubin problem--the debate continues. Pediatrics 1996. PMID: 8668399


  92. Newman TB, Hulley SB. Carcinogenicity of lipid-lowering drugs. JAMA 1996. PMID: 8531288


  93. Newman TB, Hulley SB. Reducing dietary intake of fat and cholesterol in children. JAMA 1995. PMID: 7474182



  94. Maisels MJ, Newman TB. Kernicterus in otherwise healthy, breast-fed term newborns. Pediatrics 1995. PMID: 7567339



  95. Hulley SB, Newman TB. Cholesterol in the elderly. Is it important? JAMA 1994. PMID: 7933400


  96. Hulley SB, Newman TB, Jacobs DR. Toward a more balanced cholesterol policy. Circulation 1994. PMID: 7955228


  97. Shpall S, Frieden I, Chesney M, Newman T. Risk of malignant transformation of congenital melanocytic nevi in blacks. Pediatric dermatology 1994. PMID: 7971553



  98. Stryer DB, Browner W, Newman T. More on torturing data. The New England journal of medicine 1994. PMID: 8114842




  99. Colford JM, Newman TB. Cat scratch disease. The New England journal of medicine 1994. PMID: 8277970




  100. Lin RY, Sauter D, Newman T, Sirleaf J, Walters J, Tavakol M. Continuous versus intermittent albuterol nebulization in the treatment of acute asthma. Annals of emergency medicine 1993. PMID: 8239106


  101. Pantell RH, Takayama JI, Newman TB. Costs and benefits of lead screening. JAMA 1993. PMID: 8411571



  102. Lurie P, Newman TB, Hulley SB. Caution over journal supplements. BMJ (Clinical research ed.) 1993. PMID: 8251818


  103. Walsh J, Newman TB. Cholesterol screening in young adults. JAMA 1993. PMID: 8371463


  104. Hulley SB, Newman TB, Grady D, Garber AM, Baron RB, Browner WS. Should we be measuring blood cholesterol levels in young adults? JAMA 1993. PMID: 8441219



  105. Hulley SB, Walsh JM, Newman TB. Health policy on blood cholesterol. Time to change directions. Circulation 1992. PMID: 1516172



  106. Newman TB, Maisels MJ. The bilirubin debate. Pediatrics 1992. PMID: 1614770






  107. Newman TB, Browner WS, Hulley SB. Long-term mortality after primary prevention for cardiovascular disease. JAMA 1992. PMID: 1365813


  108. Newman TB, Browner WS, Hulley SB. Childhood cholesterol screening: contraindicated. JAMA 1992. PMID: 1727176







  109. Newman TB, Browner WS, Hulley SB. The case against childhood cholesterol screening. JAMA 1990. PMID: 2243432






  110. Newman TB, Maisels MJ. Bilirubin and brain damage: what do we do now? Pediatrics 1989. PMID: 2726334




  111. Jones J, Gardner W, Newman T. Severe optic neuritis in infectious mononucleosis. Annals of emergency medicine 1988. PMID: 3354942




  112. Browner WS, Newman TB. Confidence intervals. Annals of internal medicine 1986. PMID: 3777732




  113. Newman TB. Study on cystic fibrosis criticized. Pediatrics 1983. PMID: 6646935



  114. Newman T. Medspeak. The New England journal of medicine 1979. PMID: 460385