Ep. 37 - Acetaminophen in Pregnancy and Children

In this episode, Amber Borucki, MD from Stanford Medicine, joins Host Sudheer Potru, DO, FASA, FASAM, and Co-Host Zafeer Baber, MD, to discuss acetaminophen use during pregnancy and childhood. They focus on a significant Swedish study that dispels myths about acetaminophen's links to autism, reinforcing its safety and effectiveness. Dr. Borucki highlights its role in pain management for expectant mothers and children, while the hosts discuss alternatives to opioids, like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, and stress the importance of consulting healthcare providers for proper dosing and guidance.

About the Guest

Dr. Amber Borucki is an anesthesiologist and pain medicine specialist focused on chronic pain management in children and young adults, particularly after surgery or due to chronic conditions. She earned her medical degree from Rush Medical College and completed her residency at the University of Chicago. Dr. Borucki also underwent fellowships in pediatric anesthesiology and adult/pediatric pain medicine at Boston Children's Hospital, Brigham Women's Hospital, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. After a year of private practice in Reno, Nevada, she spent five years at UCSF as a pediatric anesthesiologist and the Director of the Pediatric Anesthesia Service at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital.

Notable accomplishments at UCSF include developing and co-chairing the UCSF Benioff Transbay Pediatric Pain Management Committee and serving on the Bridge to One Bay project to standardize pain care across all UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital locations. Dr. Borucki also was instrumental in helping UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital obtain ChildKind designation, a prestigious designation for a hospital indicating that it prioritizes pediatric pain care. Dr. Borucki began practicing at Stanford Children’s Health in 2023 and she currently spends the majority of her time in the outpatient pediatric chronic pain management clinic. Aside from patient care, Dr. Borucki is the Director for Pediatric Pain Education at Stanford and she also dabbles in research and is currently conducting research through a departmental grant on characterizing chronic back pain in pediatric patients.

Dr. Borucki is a member of the medical advisory council for the Make a Wish Bay Area chapter. She is currently serving as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Society for Pediatric Pain Medicine (SPPM) and also was the program chair for the 12th annual SPPM meeting. Dr. Borucki has also served on several committees through the American Society of Anesthesiologists and California Society of Anesthesiologists. Dr. Borucki served as an editorial board member for Paediatric and Neonatal Pain.

Key Takeaways

• Acetaminophen is Safe: Current studies, including a large Swedish cohort, show no link between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and autism, reinforcing its safety profile.
• Importance of Treating Pain in Children: Dr. Borucki discusses the potential long-term adverse effects of untreated pain in pediatric patients, including increased risks of chronic pain and mood disorders.
• Dosing Caution: The significance of proper dosing is highlighted, emphasizing the need for a healthcare professional consultation, especially in young children.
• Combating Opioid Use: Acetaminophen serves as a valuable alternative in managing pain, potentially decreasing reliance on opioids post-surgery.
• Consult Reliable Sources: Listeners are encouraged to consult reputable organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics for trustworthy medical advice.

Resources

• American Academy of Pediatrics: Acetaminophen is Safe for Children When Taken as Directed, No Link to Autism
• American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists: Acetaminophen Use in Pregnancy and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes
• Society for Pediatric Pain Medicine Video: Acetaminophen and autism: what is safe for children?

Views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts, their institutions, or the American Academy of Pain Medicine.