C-sections, Conversions & the Acetaminophen/Autism experiment

A Faustian deal is being soapboxed by pregnant women seeking to disprove a Harvard study which associates acetaminophen and autism. Overdoses of Tylenol, reported by American nurses, are a serious trend. What may be intended as a "heroic" stance against bureaucracy is approaching a self-inflicted, 2-person holocaust. Ignorance of liver toxicity, like the law, is not a defense and cannot change outcomes. In some cases, they have initiated a slow, painful death with the baby along for the ride. Truly, I hope I am wrong, but now is the time and opportunity for religious conversions and potential C-sections. How can we save the souls of these women and their babies by mitigating their deals with the devil?

How much is too much? Large doses of Tylenol in one sitting is kryptonite. Acetaminophen comes in different strengths, so ER staff need honesty and full disclosure for correct treatment. Previous alcohol history is needed to determine liver health. While the liver can take years of chronic abuse and even regenerate, acute Tylenol overdose thresholds are extremely low. Web MD, linked below recommends no more than 3 grams a day. This equates to 6 capsules x 500mg pills = 3 grams spread over 24 hours. However, if all 6 are taken at once, this is an assault. There may be consequenses for a 150-pound person.  Smaller women have tighter margins.

Saving the Mother. There are 2-antidotes that require early intervention. Each have issues, so their health care is a moving target. Prognosis is based on the monitoring of blood/lab values over time. It is a grueling marathon since hour # 72 is when liver numbers start to reveal what is happening in the liver.

1. Activated Charcoal (optional) Drinking or artificial instillation into the stomach is intended to absorb rather than allow digestion of pills. However, this "sponge" effect works only for pills that still remain in the stomach. Meanwhile, an already irritated gut lining may vomit this antidote which can lead to aspiration, coughing and choking so charcoal is not a first-line drug. Also, charcoal may absorb antidote #2 when all are taken orally.

2. N-acetylcysteine is the preferred antidote which requires early action. It must be ingested or infused within 8-10 hours of overdose. The only way to know what doses to use are blood draws of drug levels over time. The blood/drug levels are plotted on a nomogram or table. The slowly developing slope on this graph determines IV doses to be infused. The slope's direction also indicates liver health or liver failure. While kidney failure's safety net is dialysis, the only treatment for liver failure is transplantation. It is not known how many livers are needed or how this is done mid-pregnancy. 

Saving the Baby. This is a Pro-Life issue. Depending on gestational age, rescue C-sections may be considered. However, acetaminophen doses do cross the placental barrier and reach the child's brain. These kids are salvageable by God's holy will, but are at risk for many problems, not just autism. Antidotes may affect the baby's health. If the mother cannot be saved, the family must step up early to ask about baby-saving options. While there are no guarantees, nothing is impossible for God.

A Call to Arms. Now is the time for hospital chaplains, parish priests and family members to act. Every patient with impending death, is faced with the afterlife and final choices. Many will convert. Proof is the current silver tsunami in nursing home patients, begging for sacraments and church visits to make things right with Jesus, ask any priest. Meanwhile, these women and children need our help. While we respect their free will, we must ask and seek options for the helpless and innocent child. St Therese of Lisieux whose feast is October 1, has a zeal for souls. In life, she made a promise to help us from heaven. If irreversible damage and terminal news is to occur between now and her feast day, we desperately need her heavenly intercession today. In her own words, she writes...

"Let us work together for the salvation of souls.

We have only today to save souls.

Let us give them to the Lord

as the proof of our love."

-St Therese of Lisieaux

Sources:

Acetaminophen overdose in pregnancy | Pubmed

Management of Acetaminophen Poisoning in the US & Canada | JAMA

Multiple American nurses report surge in women overdosing on Tylenol | DemState.org

Tylenol Poisoning | WebMD