Acetaminophen in Pregnancy and Children: Debunking Myths and Ensuring Safe Use*

Episode Summary

In this enlightening episode, Amber Borucki, MD, Stanford Medicine, joins Host Sudheer Potru, DO, FASA, FASAM, and Co-Host Zafeer Baber, MD, to tackle the critical topic of acetaminophen in pregnancy and children, delving into scientific studies and expert recommendations. The conversation pivots on major scientific findings, particularly a robust Swedish study that explores the potential links between acetaminophen and autism, ultimately dispelling prevalent myths and supporting continued judicious use of the medication.

Acetaminophen, known for its analgesic and antipyretic properties, emerges as an essential tool in pain management, especially for expectant mothers and young children. Dr. Borucki emphasizes the robust research backing its safety and effectiveness, mentioning a significant study from Sweden confirming no link between acetaminophen and autism spectrum disorders. Sudheer and Zafeer further discuss pivotal aspects of pediatric pain management, touching on how to mitigate the opioid crisis’s impact with alternatives like acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Additionally, they address potential dosing concerns, reinforcing the importance of consulting healthcare providers and reliable sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, for informed guidance.

About the Guest

Amber Borucki, MD

Dr. Amber Borucki is an anesthesiologist and pain medicine specialist whose focus is chronic pain management in children and adolescents/young adults and reducing or managing pain from chronic conditions or pain that occurs after surgery. Dr. Borucki completed her medical degree at Rush Medical College in Chicago, IL. She attended anesthesia residency at the University of Chicago. She completed a fellowship in pediatric anesthesiology at Boston Children’s Hospital as well as a combined adult/pediatric pain medicine fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital, Brigham Women’s Hospital, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Dr. Borucki worked for one year in private practice in anesthesiology in Reno, Nevada. Dr. Borucki then began her 5-year tenure at UCSF as a pediatric anesthesiologist and pain medicine specialist and was 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.