Paracetamol or acetaminophen is an analgesic drug commonly used to relieve fever or pain. This drug is very easy to find because it can be bought without a doctor's prescription. Although sold freely, this drug should not be taken carelessly, because it can cause damage to the liver.

In addition to that, paracetamol also has other negative side effects, especially for pregnant women. According to a study conducted in 2018, the compound was associated with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, if the mother took the drug for four weeks or more.

Not only that, the link between paracetamol and children's behavioural was also found in a recent study published in the Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology journal. The researchers found that children may have a higher risk of hyperactivity and attention-seeking problems if their mother consumed a lot of paracetamol during pregnancy. Studies also show that boys are more vulnerable to this risk compared to girls.

In their study, researchers analysed the data of 14,541 women who were 18-32 weeks pregnantgathered by the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). In the seventh month of their pregnancy, 43% of participants were known to consume paracetamol occasionally or more. To determine the development of children's behaviour, the researchers conducted memory and IQ tests up to the age of 17 years and also observed the behaviour and temperament of each child from the age of 6 months.

Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Getty Images

Source(s):

• Golding, J., Gregory, S., Clark, R., et all (2019). Associations between paracetamol (acetaminophen) intakes between 18 and 32 weeks gestation and neurocognitive outcomes in the child: A longitudinal cohort study. Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ppe.12582.
• Healthline - Can Tylenol During Pregnancy Affect Children's Behavior Years Later? (2019). https://www.healthline.com/health-news/can-tylenol-during-pregnancy-affect-childrens-behavior-years-later, 23 September 2019.