Research says to take care with use of paracetamol during pregnancy

Paracetamol may offer much-needed pain relief however a recent study shows that for pregnant women, it can have detrimental effects, and should be limited in use.

New findings revealed

Paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen) is found in Panadol and commonly taken for relief of pain, fever and cold and flu symptoms. And often used by women during their pregnancy. In fact, it is used by approximately 65% of pregnant women in the US and 50% of prevent women worldwide. It is readily available not just over the counter at pharmacies but at supermarkets and other retail outlets.

Research recently published in Nature Reviews Endocrinology advises that exposure to paracetamol during pregnancy may affect foetal development and increase the risk of neurodevelopmental and reproductive disorders in babies.

Co-author of the study, Dr David Kristensen from Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark and colleagues reviewed research related to paracetamol use during pregnancy over a 25-year period. Through their work, they found that paracetamol taken during pregnancy can be harmful to the unborn child and had been associated with adverse neurological, urogenital and reproductive outcomes in males and females. The study also suggests that it may increase the risk of behaviour outcomes such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder and decreased intelligence quotient.

What about pain relief?

While there is increasing research to indicate that we need to be wary of using paracetamol during pregnancy, what’s the alternative when it comes to pain relief? Untreated pain can have grave outcomes for both mother and child with fever increasing the risk of neural tube defects and cardiovascular disorders. Studies show that paracetamol is effective in treating fever and pain and is also one of the most common over-the-counter medicine taken by pregnant women.

Ann Bauer, an epidemiologist at the University of Massachusetts Lowell co-wrote a statement urging people to take care with this situation during pregnancy. “The evidence supports that we have reasons to be concerned,” she reported to USA TODAY, but then added, “This is not cut-and-dry. We can’t say don’t ever use acetaminophen.”

According to Bauer, only about one-third of uses during pregnancy are for urgent needs such as fever or severe pain. This is partly because other pain-relief medications are considered harmful during pregnancy, leaving few alternatives. So paracetamol may be the best option. “We don’t want to try and scare anybody,” she said. “But we want to see that 65% go down.”

What’s the answer?

The outcome of the research and findings, is that the authors recommend that caution be taken with paracetamol use during pregnancy. They advise that pregnant women consult with their physician or pharmacist if at all uncertain about the use of paracetamol and that they should use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time.