Dolores Njoku, MD

Dolores Njoku, MD

Vice Chair; Division Chief, Pediatric Anesthesiology; Anesthesiologist-in-Chief, St. Louis Children’s Hospital

Admin: Meredith McLaughlin

Dolores B. Njoku, MD, is Vice Chair of Anesthesiology and Chief of Pediatric Anesthesiology in the Department of Anesthesiology at Washington University in St. Louis. She is an adjunct Professor in Pathology and Immunology at Washington University in St. Louis and Johns Hopkins University.  

Dr. Njoku received her medical degree from the University of Mississippi and completed a residency in pediatrics at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, where she served as chief resident. She completed a residency in anesthesiology and fellowships in pediatric anesthesiology and pediatric critical care at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, was full-time faculty from 1997 to 2021 and served as Program Director for the Fellowship in Pediatric Anesthesiology from 2007 to 2018.  

In July 2021, Dr. Njoku joined the faculty at Washington University in St. Louis. She is an internationally recognized and respected educator and translational researcher in immune-mediated liver injury and focuses on mechanisms that initiate immune-mediated liver injury and the role of sex and gender in the severity of this process. Dr. Njoku is the Pediatric Anesthesiologist-in-Chief at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, a member of the Department of Anesthesiology Promotions Committee, a member of the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Medical Executive Committee and a Faculty-At-Large Representative for the Washington University in St. Louis Faculty Practice Plan.  

She is a member of the Board of Governors for the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine and the United Way of Central Maryland. She serves as a full examiner for the American Board of Anesthesiology and Vice-Chair of the Standard Oral Exam. Dr. Njoku is also Board Chair-Elect for the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research and the President-Elect for the Association of University Anesthesiologists.

Basic Science Research

Dr. Njoku is an internationally respected basic/translational researcher in immune-mediated liver injury. The objective of the Njoku Lab is to discover mechanisms associated with susceptibility to immune mediated hepatitis in all of its forms. Her laboratory investigates the basis of sex differences in drug-induced, immune-mediated liver disease. The Njoku Lab has characterized the mechanisms by which cytokines, CD4+T cells, B cells and FoxP3+T cells contribute to this form of hepatitis, triggered by an epitope of cytochrome P450 2E1 using an in vivo mouse model.

The Njoku Lab also investigates metabolic liver disease and its sequelae, specifically hormonal factors associated with fatty acid biosynthesis as well as uptake and distribution utilizing immunological, metabolic and genetic techniques.

Lab website (coming soon)

Clinical Focus

Dr. Njoku is extensively involved in outcomes reporting for the treatment of posterior spine fusion in healthy children with idiopathic scoliosis, as well as in children with multiple co-morbidities. Leading various efforts in pediatric anesthesiology, Dr. Njoku plays a crucial role in the care of these children and has contributed to the development of AIS ERAS pathways. Additionally, Dr. Njoku has been instrumental in creating clinical curricula and practice guidelines for the utilization of ultrasound in medicine.

Educational Focus

Dr. Njoku’s focus lies on general and complex concepts in Pediatric Anesthesiology. Her approach involves a combination of short didactic sessions complemented by clinical experiences designed for residents. Additionally, she has developed online venues to reinforce the in-person didactic and clinical experiences, creating a comprehensive and integrated educational program.

Experience

Current Academic Titles
  • Chief, Pediatric Anesthesiology and Pediatric Pain Medicine
  • Vice Chair, Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
  • Professor, Anesthesiology, Pathology, and Immunology
  • Adjunct Professor, Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Current Appointments
  • President-Elect, Association of University Anesthesiologists (AUA)
  • Councilor, Association of University Anesthesiologists (AUA)
  • Chairman of the Board-Elect, Foundation of Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER)
  • Board of Directors, Foundation of Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER)
  • Vice-Chair, Standard Oral Exam Committee for the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA)
  • Full Board Examiner of the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA)
  • Director, Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology
  • Board of Directors, United Way of Central Maryland
  • Member, the NIH Clinical Center’s Board of Scientific Councilors
  •  Editor, Pediatric Anesthesiology Lectures, McGraw-Hill Education
  • Editor, Pediatric Section, Current Opinion in Anesthesiology
Professional Societies
  • American Academy of Pediatrics
  • American Society of Anesthesiology
  • Association of University Anesthesiologists
  • Society of Pediatric Anesthesia
  • American Association of Immunologists
  • American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
Board Certifications
  • 1987—FLEX
  • 1991-2017—Pediatrics
  • 1995-Present—Anesthesiology
  • 2000-2007—Pediatric Critical Care
  • 2013- Present—Pediatric Anesthesiology
Education

BS, Biochemistry
1983 University of Dallas/Irving, TX

Medical Degree
1987 University of Mississippi/Jackson, MS

Intern, Pediatrics
1988 Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH

Resident, Pediatrics
1990 Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH

Resident, Anesthesiology
1994 John’s Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

Fellowship, Pediatric Anesthesiology
1995 John’s Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

Fellowship, Pediatric Critical Care
1996 John’s Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

Publications

Below are some of Dr. Njoku’s featured publications. A comprehensive list can be found here.

Review Articles
  1. Njoku DB. Suppressive and pro-inflammatory roles for IL-4 in the pathogenesis of experimental drug-induced liver injury: a review. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol. 2010 May;6(5):519-31. doi: 10.1517/17425251003601979. PMID: 20166853; PMCID: PMC3656827.
  2. Njoku DB. Drug-induced hepatotoxicity: metabolic, genetic and immunological basis. Int J Mol Sci. 2014 Apr 22;15(4):6990-7003. doi: 10.3390/ijms15046990. PMID: 24758937; PMCID: PMC4013674.
  3. Zharichenko N, Njoku DB. The Role of Pro-Inflammatory and Regulatory Signaling by IL-33 in the Brain and Liver: A Focused Systematic Review of Mouse and Human Data and Risk of Bias Assessment of the Literature. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 May 30;21(11):E3933. doi: 10.3390/ijms21113933. PMID: 32486265.
  4. Pai S, Njoku DB. The Role of Hypoxia-Induced Mitogenic Factor in Organ-Specific Inflammation in the Lung and Liver: Key Concepts and Gaps in Knowledge Regarding Molecular Mechanisms of Acute or Immune- Mediated Liver Injury. Int J Mol Sci.. 2021; 22(5):2717.
  5. Njoku DB, Schilling JD, Finck BN. Mechanisms of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis associated cardiomyopathy: key roles for liver–heart crosstalk. Curr Opin Lipidol. 2022 Oct 1;33(5):295-299. doi: 10.1097/ MOL.0000000000000845. Epub 2022 Aug 3., PMID: 35942818.
Case Reports
  1. Anderson JS, Rose NR, Martin JL, Eger EI, Njoku DB. Desflurane hepatitis associated with hapten and autoantigen-specific IgG4 antibodies. Anesth Analg. 2007 Jun;104(6):1452-3, table of contents. doi: 10.1213/01.ane.0000263275.10081.47. PMID: 17513640; PMCID: PMC3650136.
  2. Nguyen C, Rose NR, Njoku DB. Trifluoroacetylated IgG4 antibodies in a child with idiosyncratic acute liver failure after first exposure to halothane. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2008 Aug;47(2):199-202. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0b013e3181709fee. PMID: 18664874; PMCID: PMC2746329.
  3. Chin MW, Njoku DB, MacQuillan G, Cheng WS, Kontorinis N. Desflurane-induced acute liver failure. Med J Aust. 2008 Sep 1;189(5):293-4. PMID: 18759731.
Book Chapters, Monographs
  1. Martin JL, Njoku D. Subclavian Steal Syndrome. In: Essence of Anesthesia Practice, M. Roizen and L. Fleisher, editors. New York: W. B. Saunders Company. 298, 1997.
  2. Njoku D. Effects of Halogenated Inhalational Anesthetics on the Liver and Kidney. In: Problems in Anesthesia, M. Yaster, L. Fleisher, and D. Prough, editors. Philadelphia: Lippncott Williams & Wilkins. 10:478- 487, 1998.
  3. Martin JL, Njoku D. Subclavian Steal Syndrome. In: Essence of Anesthesia Practice, M. Roizen and L. Fleisher, editors. New York: W. B. Saunders Company. 309, 2002.
  4. Vax R and Njoku D. Branchial Cleft Cyst. In: Anesthesia for Strategies in Pediatric Anesthesia for the Palm Pilot. Ed.: RS Litman. Pocketmedicine.com, New York, NY, 2002.
  5. Kaufman S and Njoku D. Craniotomy for CNS Tumor Excision. In: Anesthesia for Strategies in Pediatric Anesthesia for the Palm Pilot. Ed.: RS Litman. Pocketmedicine.com, New York, NY, 2002.
  6. Martin J and Njoku DB. Understanding the Metabolism and Toxicity of Modern Fluorinated Anesthetics. In Anesthesiology, R. Miller editor. 5th Edition, 2004.
  7. Brady KM, Njoku DB. Latex Allergy. Decision Making in Anesthesiology, 4th edition. Mosby Year Book, 2007.
  8. Sharma R.B., Burek C.L., Cihákova D., Njoku D.B., Rose N.R. (2007) Environmental Factors in Autoimmune Endocrinopathies. In: Weetman A.P. (eds) Autoimmune Diseases in Endocrinology. Contemporary Endocrinology. Humana Press, 2007.
  9. Njoku D. Branchial Cleft Cyst. In: Anesthesia for Strategies in Pediatric Anesthesia for the Palm Pilot. Second Edition. Ed. RS Litman. Pocketmedicine.com, New York, NY, 2007.
  10. Kaufman S and Njoku D. Craniotomy for CNS Tumor Excision. In: Anesthesia for Strategies in Pediatric Anesthesia for the Palm Pilot. Second Edition. Ed.: RS Litman. Pocketmedicine.com, New York, NY, 2007.
  11. Ajuba-Iwuji C and Njoku DB. Rashes. In PocketICUMedicine. Ed: M Wall. Pocketmedicine.com, New York, NY, 2009.
  12. Ajuba-Iwuji C and Njoku DB. Challenges During Surgery for Traumatic Brain Injury. In Essentials of Neuroanesthesia and Critical Care Handbook. Ed: J Kirsch and A Brambrink. Springer, 475, 2012.
  13. Kudchadkar S, Njoku D. Subclavian Steal Syndrome. In: Essence of Anesthesia Practice, M. Roizen and L. Fleisher, editors. New York: W. B. Saunders Company. 309, 2011.
  14. Heitmiller E, Njoku D. Scoliosis in Decision Support in Medicine. 2013
  15. Njoku D, Lyon C Pharmacology: Physiologic States, Pathophysiologic States and Adverse Effects in Essentials of Pediatric Anesthesiology. Cambridge University Press. 2015
  16. Kattail D, Lo C, Njoku D. Orthopedic Surgery in Essentials of Pediatric Anesthesiology. Cambridge University Press. 2015
  17. Geng-Ramos G and Njoku DB. Challenges During Surgery for Traumatic Brain Injury. In Essentials of Neuroanesthesia and Critical Care Handbook. Ed: J Kirsch and A Brambrink. Springer, 2017.
  18. Njoku DB, Chitilian HV and Kronish K. Hepatic Physiology, Pathophysiology and Anesthetic Considerations. in Miller Anesthesia, 9th edition, Elsevier, 2019.
  19. Njoku DB, Drobish J, Chilian HV and Kronish K. Gastrointestinal and Hepatic Physiology, Pathophysiology and Anesthetic Considerations. In Miller Anesthesia, 10th edition, Elsevier, 2024.