Srinagar, Aug 23: A new study suggests that taking acetaminophen—commonly known as paracetamol—during pregnancy may slightly increase the risk of children developing autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Paracetamol is one of the most widely used over-the-counter painkillers around the world. However, its safety during pregnancy has come under growing scrutiny.
Last year, a study conducted by researchers from the University of Nottingham found that paracetamol use was linked to a 24 per cent and 36 per cent increase in risk of peptic ulcer bleeding and lower gastrointestinal bleeding, respectively.
According to the study taking the drug may also increase the risk of chronic kidney disease by 19 per cent, heart failure by nine per cent and hypertension by seven per cent.
Researchers examined when paracetamol was taken during pregnancy—whether in the first, second, third trimester, or throughout—and compared it with medical records of mothers and their children. They found that the risk of autism or ADHD was higher in cases where the drug was used frequently or over longer periods during pregnancy.
The study urged mothers-to-be to use paracetamol, a common over-the-counter medication, sparingly, as it could cause neurodevelopmental disorders.
“Our findings show that higher-quality studies are more likely to show a link between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and increased risks of autism and ADHD,” the study, published earlier this month in BMC Environmental Health, highlighted.
The research, led by experts from Mount Sinai Hospital and Harvard School of Public Health, analyzed data from over 100,000 people across 46 earlier studies. The team used the Navigation Guide Systematic Review, a well-regarded method for reviewing environmental health data.
Given how common paracetamol use is among pregnant women, even a small risk could have significant public health consequences, the researchers warned. They should use it cautiously and only when necessary.
