Paracetamol is the world's most popular painkiller, but new research suggests a link between the drug’s use during pregnancy and ADHD and autism in children.
Research by Mount Sinai and Harvard's School of Public Health shows some level of correlation between the consumption of acetaminophen, or paracetamol, by pregnant women, and possible neudodivergent symptoms in children.
However, researchers have stressed that so far, there has been no proven direct causation, but rather that the data shows further analysis is needed.
Master of the National Maternity Hospital Professor Shane Higgins said that while this may seem alarming, the results come from observational studies rather than direct evidence.
“There’s a whole host of issues that you need to be careful of – reporting bias, confounding variables – so, it’s very difficult to draw a line directly between cause and effect,” he told The Anton Savage Show.
“They’ve actually said that there is no causation; they haven’t identified causation or a direct link betwee the use of paracetemol and the condition.
“What they’re saying is that there may be some association, and that’s where the risk-benefit analysis comes in.”
Blister Pack Painkillers. Image: Fire Pig Images.Prof Higgins said that as it currently stands, paracetemol is “a very important drug”.
“We use it for pain relief, but we also use it to treat temperatures that patients might have during pregnancy and in labour,” he said.
“I think it’s very important to know that having a temperature can also be very harmful to pregnancy.
“So, there has to be a really careful balance made in terms of a risk-benefit analysis in using medications.
“Any medication, including paracetemol, that’s used in pregnancy should be used with caution and under the supervision of a medical practitioner.”
According to Prof Higgins, there is no current cause for concern.
He advised pregnant women to continue to take paracetamol and all other medications under medical supervision.
Main image: Pregnant woman holding ultrasound image. Image: Prasit Rodphan / Alamy. 3 February 2018
