Contents:
- Medical Video: Is Acetaminophen Use in Pregnancy Linked to Autism ADHD (HD)
- Is it true that taking paracetamol while pregnant can cause ADHD in children?
- Why is that?
- So, is it safe to take paracetamol for pregnant women?
- How many doses of paracetamol are safe during pregnancy?
Medical Video: Is Acetaminophen Use in Pregnancy Linked to Autism ADHD (HD)
The drug paracetamol is commonly used to reduce fever to relieve symptoms of colds, flu, and coughing. Paracetamol is also useful for relieving headaches, migraines, sore throats, muscle and joint pain, until menstrual pain. This versatile function is no doubt making paracetamol a first aid for daily pain, not least when you are pregnant.
Even so, news spread that the use of paracetamol drugs for pregnant women can cause ADHD in children when they grow up. Is it true that mothers should not take paracetamol while pregnant? Peel thoroughly the explanation in this article.
Is it true that taking paracetamol while pregnant can cause ADHD in children?
Certain drugs are not safe to use during pregnancy, because they can interfere with the growth and development of the fetus in the womb. For example, the antiepileptic drug phenytoin can cause heart abnormalities and microcephaly, or the high-risk isotretinoin acne drug causes heart, cleft lip abnormalities and neural tube defects. What about the safety of paracetamol for pregnant women?
Recent scientific evidence has emerged which states that paracetamol or acetaminophen may not be as safe as that for pregnant women. A 2014 study involving almost more than 2,500 pregnant women was monitored until their children were 5 years old. The group of pregnant women was asked to fill out a questionnaire about the frequency and dose of using paracetamol during pregnancy.
At the end of the study it was found that women who often drank paracetamol at 32 weeks of gestation tended to have children who had attention disorders (symptoms of autism syndrome) at the age of 5 years, compared to women who did not take paracetamol at all. In addition, researchers also found ADHD symptoms and cognitive impairment in children born to mothers who took paracetamol during pregnancy.
Another study involving nearly 50 thousand participants found that the use of routine paracetamol for at least 28 days or more during pregnancy can cause children to experience impaired motor and cognitive abilities, decreased communication skills, and behavioral disorders. While the results of research conducted by the Danish National Birth Control also stated the same thing. Of the total 64,322 mothers, almost half consumed paracetamol during pregnancy and had children who had symptoms or even were diagnosed with autism by a doctor.
The latest study published in the Pediatric journal in 2017 reveals that the use of paracetamol drugs for pregnant women can increase the risk of ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children. Overall, mothers who took paracetamol during pregnancy had a 37% increased risk of their children getting ADHD compared to mothers who did not use painkillers at all. Even other studies reveal that the use of long-term paracetamol for 29 days or more can increase the risk of ADHD by as much as 22 percent.
Why is that?
Until now it is still unclear how the relationship between paracetamol consumed by mothers during pregnancy can cause fetal growth disorders which then have an impact on children's behavior disorders. However, experts suspect there are several hypotheses that might answer this relationship.
The use of paracetamol drugs in the long term is thought to affect the receptors in the brain that function to ripen brain cells and become a link between brain cells. Disruption of receptor function which is thought to cause a disruption in the baby's brain development since it was still in the womb. In addition, paracetamol also disrupts the immune system which can affect the development of the fetal nervous system.
Previous research has argued that this drug is thought to affect the hormonal system so that exposure to this drug during pregnancy can affect fetal development that grows during pregnancy. Another theory also suggests that consumption of paracetamol for pregnant women may cause poisoning to the fetus, so that it directly impacts its growth.
So, is it safe to take paracetamol for pregnant women?
A number of these findings are quite alarming because almost more than 50 percent of pregnant women use paracetamol to relieve pain. Moreover, this drug is easily bought and sold anywhere. Even so, there is no evidence that can really show that taking paracetamol during pregnancy can harm your fetus. Further research still needs to be done.
The paracetamol drug category for pregnancy is B, which means there is little risk or even no risk in some cases. Until now, paracetamol or acetaminophen is indeed a painkiller best and safe for consumption by pregnant women. Especially when compared to other types of painkillers such as ibuprofen or aspirin, which can have a more dangerous effect. Ibuprofen, according to various studies, is said to cause a risk of miscarriage and is dangerous for the kidneys and fetal heart.
How many doses of paracetamol are safe during pregnancy?
You do not necessarily have to panic and avoid taking paracetamol if needed. However, you still should not be careless when taking paracetamol during pregnancy. The use of paracetamol drugs for pregnant women should not last long and the total daily dose should not exceed the maximum dose limit. You are even advised to take paracetamol in the lowest dose during pregnancy.
The safest dose of paracetamol during pregnancy is one or two tablets a day, with a total of 500 mg or 1000 mg. Maximum paracetamol is taken four times a day (every 4-6 hours). However, before taking paracetamol during pregnancy, you should consult with your doctor first. You may be advised to take paracetamol at a lower dose than that.
It would be better if before using drugs, you try other alternatives first to relieve pain or reduce fever. For example, with enough rest, warm compresses, eat healthy food, and drink more water. If it does not heal, consult your doctor before taking any medication.
