No Connection Found Between Acetaminophen Use in Pregnancy and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Reveals Extensive Research
A comprehensive study has revealed that utilizing acetaminophen, commonly found in Tylenol, throughout pregnancy does not correlate with a higher likelihood of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability in offspring. This groundbreaking research sheds light on the safety of acetaminophen use during pregnancy.
A recent study published in the journal JAMA found that using acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, during pregnancy did not increase the risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability in children.
The study analyzed the prenatal and medical records of approximately 2.5 million children born in Sweden between the years 1995 and 2019.
A statistical model comparing children exposed to acetaminophen during pregnancy with those not exposed found a slightly higher risk of autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability in the exposed group. However, a sibling analysis that looked at full sibling pairs - siblings with the same biological parents - showed no evidence of increased risk of these conditions associated with acetaminophen use during pregnancy. Scientists from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and Drexel University conducted this study.
Hands, fever and baby with the hand of a mother taking the temperature with a thermometer of a sick daughter in bed at home. Female parent measuring or testing the symptoms of her girl in the bedroom.
A mother is at home with her sick daughter, using a thermometer to check her temperature. The mother is measuring or testing the symptoms of her girl in the bedroom. The image shows the loving care and attention of a parent towards their child.
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Sibling analyses are beneficial because siblings share both genetic and environmental factors. This helps to eliminate certain variables that could affect the results of clinical trials, as stated in the study.
According to Dr. Eric Brenner, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Duke University who was not part of the study, matched sibling control studies are effective in controlling for unknown environmental factors. Siblings are likely to grow up in the same household, follow similar diets, and be exposed to comparable environments, making it easier for researchers to control for environmental influences.
Brenner mentioned that the study's strengths include the high number of participants and the sibling analysis.
He also stated, "This study is thorough and well-planned, and it concluded that there is no link between using acetaminophen and neurodevelopmental issues like autism and ADHD." Brenner added, "It is always important to use any medication carefully and after consulting with a doctor, but it seems that acetaminophen is generally safe to use."
Recent research papers and statements claiming that there is a higher risk of autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability linked to acetaminophen use during pregnancy have been contradicted by new findings.
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While the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency believe that acetaminophen is generally safe to use during pregnancy, a recent statement from a group of international scientists and doctors in 2021 advised pregnant individuals to avoid taking acetaminophen unless it is medically necessary. Additionally, several research studies have found a potential link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and an increased risk of ADHD and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
The authors of a new study mentioned that there may have been other factors influencing the associations found in previous research models.
Confounding occurs when an outside factor affects both the exposure and the outcome, leading to a misleading connection between the two. For instance, a study discovered that parents with neurodevelopmental disorders, which are strongly inherited, are more inclined to use pain medications such as acetaminophen while pregnant. This correlation may mistakenly suggest that children exposed to acetaminophen in utero are at a higher risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders, when the actual increased risk is primarily due to genetics, as per the study's findings.
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A task force in the US suggests increasing the number of screenings for high blood pressure during pregnancy. The study discovered notable variations between birthing parents who used acetaminophen frequently and those who used it less or not at all. Children born to parents in lower socioeconomic classes, with higher early pregnancy body mass index, who smoked during pregnancy, and who had psychiatric or neurodevelopmental diagnoses were more likely to have been exposed to acetaminophen.
The researchers noted that the results did not point to a single definite cause of the issue, but rather highlighted how various health and sociodemographic factors of the birthing parents could each contribute to the observed association.
In an interesting twist, the study revealed that other pain medications like aspirin, NSAIDs, and opioids did not show an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in sibling analyses. Despite previous links to birth defects, aspirin actually showed a decreased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in this study. However, more research is needed to fully understand this finding, according to Brenner.
“At this time, aspirin use is not routinely recommended in pregnancy, and I would urge pregnant mothers to discuss its use with their obstetricians,” he said.
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According to Brenner, fevers are a common occurrence in over 10% of pregnant individuals. While most fevers do not have any impact on fetal development, those experienced in the first trimester have been linked to serious congenital defects like cleft palate and heart defects.
Acetaminophen is a commonly used and well-researched medication during pregnancy. It is safe to use for reducing fever and pain, according to Brenner.
On the other hand, the FDA advises against using NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen in the third trimester of pregnancy. These drugs could potentially cause a blood vessel in the fetus to close prematurely.
Dr. Yalda Afshar, an assistant professor in-residence of obstetrics and gynecology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA who was not involved in the new research, emphasized the importance of consulting with a healthcare professional about the use of any prescription or over-the-counter medication during pregnancy.
In an email to CNN, Dr. Afshar mentioned that the study may offer reassurance to pregnant individuals who require acetaminophen for their health needs.
Editor's P/S:
The recent study exploring the potential link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental disorders in children brings a sigh of relief. The findings contradict previous concerns, suggesting that acetaminophen does not significantly increase the risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability. This is reassuring news for pregnant individuals who may require pain or fever relief.
It is crucial to emphasize that while acetaminophen is generally safe to use during pregnancy, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before taking any medication. They can provide personalized advice based on individual health needs and circumstances. Additionally, research is ongoing, and it is essential to stay informed about any new findings or recommendations regarding medication use during pregnancy.
