A recent study cautions expectant mothers who frequently use acetaminophen for pain relief that their children may end up with behavioral problems.
Researchers discovered that moms who regularly used acetaminophen during pregnancy had a higher risk of attention and behavioral issues in their children between the ages of two and four.
According to researcher Susan Schantz, a professor of comparative biosciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, “the kinds of behaviors the caregivers reported included things like the child talking out of turn, not paying attention, not being quiet when they were supposed to be quiet, not sitting down when they were supposed to be sitting down, and being a little aggressive with other children.”
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen, widely known by the brand name Tylenol, is considered the safest painkiller and fever reducer for pregnancy, but previous studies have found evidence of negative outcomes for children exposed to the medication while in the womb, researchers said in background notes.
For instance, a recent study co-led by Schantz connected infant language deficits to higher acetaminophen exposure during pregnancy. In order to obtain a more accurate picture of medication exposures, the researchers in this most recent study questioned expectant mothers six times about their use of acetaminophen. The researchers then monitored the offspring of these pregnancies, interviewing caretakers for hours at a time about the children’s conduct and attentiveness at ages two, three, and four. More than 300 kids underwent testing when they were two years old, 262 more when they were three, and 196 more when they were four.
Co-lead author Megan Woodbury, a postdoctoral researcher at Northeastern University in Boston, said, “Our most important finding was that with increasing acetaminophen use by pregnant participants, especially during the second trimester, their children showed more attention-related problems and ADHD-type behaviors, which we call ‘externalizing behaviors,’ at every age we measured.”
Schantz emphasized that the results do not suggest that the kids have ADHD or would eventually receive an ADHD diagnosis. But compared to their age-appropriate counterparts, who were exposed to little or no acetaminophen in the womb, the children are struggling more with attention.
Woodbury is a pregnant woman who has started taking acetaminophen once a trimester for herself. According to her, these results shouldn’t deter other women from using the drug, which is useful in treating severe headaches, discomfort, and fever. However, Woodbury stated that she decides not to use the medication for small fevers or aches and pains. According to academics, more studies are required to confirm that acetaminophen usage more frequently has an impact on the developing brain, with a particular focus on the second trimester.
Frequently asked questions
What is an over-the-counter medicine?
Lots of women use over-the-counter (also called OTC) medicine, like pain relievers and cold medicine, to treat common conditions like a headache or a stuffy nose. Over-the-counter means you can buy the medicine without a prescription from a health care provider. But not all OTC medicines are safe to use during pregnancy. This goes for supplements and herbal products, too.
If you’re pregnant, check with your health care provider before you take any over-the-counter medicine, supplement or herbal product to make sure it’s safe for you and your baby.
Are over-the-counter medicines safe to take during pregnancy?
The label on most OTC medicines says that pregnant women should talk to their health care provider before using them. This is because some OTC medicines may cause problems during pregnancy.
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Disclaimer: The opinions and suggestions expressed in this article are solely those of the individual analysts. These are not the opinions of HNN. For more, please consult with your doctor
