You may have heard that taking paracetamol during pregnancy might be unsafe for your baby. Should you be worried? Is Paracetamol Safe During Pregnancy?

Taking Medicine During Pregnancy

In this post, we share some findings from a recent study looking at the safety of taking paracetamol during pregnancy on children.

We know we should be careful with taking any medicines during pregnancy because of the potential effects on the developing baby.

 And for so long, we’ve thought paracetamol (also known as Tylenol, Panadol or Acetaminophen) to be the safest medicine for pain or fever for pregnant women and children.

However, some previous studies suggest that taking paracetamol when you are pregnant could have a connection to conditions where behaviour and thinking are affected in your baby, like Autism and ADHD.

What We Previously Knew About Paracetamol in Pregnancy

These studies have never been conclusive, so no one could be certain about any connection between taking paracetamol during pregnancy and harm..

However, a new study might give us a better idea.

Some scientists carried out a meta-analysis that was published in May 2021.

A meta-analysis is what happens when you combine other studies to look at what they have in common.

These people looked at six original studies (based in Europe) of pregnant women and their use of paracetamol during pregnancy. In addition, the studies continued observations after their kids were born.

Benefits of the Study

The advantages of this type of study are:

1. Having many people tested instead of small study groups. (In this meta-analysis, there were over 70,000 mother-baby couples studied). 
2. They used the same methods to analyse each study. Sometimes, the problem with individual studies is that they use different analysis methods, making it challenging when it’s time to compare one study to another.
3. They explored the effect of paracetamol use during pregnancy and by children from birth to 18 months of life. 
4. They looked at what remained after adjusting for other possible links to developing Autism/ADHD, such as: 

• mum’s age at delivery,
• pre-pregnancy weight,
• prenatal smoking,
• mental health during pregnancy,
• alcohol consumption,
• fever and infections during pregnancy

They also performed other sensitivity tests, like leaving out one study at a time to determine their influence.

How Does Paracetamol Work?

So overall, this looks like a potentially reliable study. It can probably give a decent answer to the question – “is paracetamol safe during pregnancy”.

But before we look at their findings, briefly – how does paracetamol work?

Paracetamol works in the brain by blocking a hormone called Prostaglandin. 

Our bodies make prostaglandins in response to many stress-related problems, and it can be involved with painful menstruation, arthritis, heavy menstrual bleeding and some types of cancer.

Scientists think paracetamol can adversely affect the developing brain, accounting for its links to Autism and ADHD. 

What the Study Reveals

Now what were the findings of the latest study:

1. Children exposed to paracetamol in the womb were:
   • 19% more likely to have autism than those who are not and
   • 21% more likely to have ADHD than those who are not.
2. They looked at children given paracetamol from birth to 18 months.
   • They found no link between developing Autism or ADHD and using paracetamol after birth in the children. 

Is Paracetamol Safe During Pregnancy?

So what does this mean for pregnant women using paracetamol?

Previous studies have shown stronger relationships with these conditions (ADHD and Autism) when Paracetamol is used:

• in more than one trimester during pregnancy and
• with more frequent /persistent use, as well as
• use in pregnancy for more than five months

We have more robust evidence now that frequent, persistent or prolonged use of paracetamol in pregnancy can be associated with the development of Autism or ADHD by about 19-20%.

Can I Take Paracetamol During Pregnancy? (When and How Much)

So can you use paracetamol in pregnancy? YES. 

This study should not frighten pregnant women from using paracetamol to relieve pain or fever if they need it. 

Paracetamol has not been shown to be harmful to mothers when taken at the recommended dose.

However, in order to avoid the development of Autism or ADHD in your baby:

• Only take paracetamol during pregnancy when it is necessary. This can be for pain or fever when other non-drug methods do not help.
• Try to avoid using it every day or every other day.
• Please do NOT use it for an extended period where possible.

Does this make any difference in your attitude to paracetamol during pregnancy?

If you have any questions on this topic – pop them in the comment section below.

More Reading

• Fed Up! – When Can I Stop Taking My High Blood Pressure Drugs?
• 4 tips to manage high Blood Pressure
• Pregnancy and Your Heart – Risk of disease.
• Oral Contraceptives and Weight Gain
• From the Dr’s Corner……Breastfeeding worry
• Healthcare Shop

Reference

Your Health and Hormones

Original Article

Editing by AskAwayHealth Team

Disclaimer

All AskAwayHealth articles are written by practising  Medical Practitioners on a wide range of healthcare conditions to provide evidence-based guidance and to help promote quality healthcare. The advice in our material is not meant to replace the management of your specific condition by a qualified healthcare practitioner.
To discuss your condition, please contact a health practitioner or reach us directly.

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