Table of contents:
- Is it true that taking paracetamol during pregnancy can cause ADHD in children?
- Why is that?
- So, is it safe to take paracetamol for pregnant women?
- What is the safe dose of paracetamol during pregnancy?
The drug paracetamol is commonly used to reduce fever to relieve cold, flu and cough symptoms. Paracetamol is also useful for relieving headaches, migraines, sore throats, muscle and joint pain, and menstrual pain. This versatile function undoubtedly makes paracetamol a first aid drug for everyday pain, including when you are pregnant.
Even so, word got out that the use of paracetamol for pregnant women can cause ADHD in children when they are older. Is it true that mothers should not take paracetamol while pregnant? Peel thoroughly the explanation in this article.
Is it true that taking paracetamol during pregnancy 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, which can cause heart problems and microcephaly, or the acne drug isotretinoin, which has a high risk of causing heart defects, cleft lip, and neural tube defects. What about the safety of paracetamol for pregnant women?
Recently, a number of scientific evidence has emerged that states that paracetamol or acetaminophen may not be that safe for pregnant women. A 2014 study involving nearly more than 2,500 pregnant women who were continuously monitored until their children were 5 years old. This group of pregnant women was asked to fill out a questionnaire about the frequency and dose of paracetamol use 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 with attention disorders (symptoms of autism syndrome) at the age of 5 years, compared to mothers 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 while pregnant.
Another study involving nearly 50,000 participants found that routine use of paracetamol for at least 28 days or more while pregnant can cause children to experience motor and cognitive impairments, decreased communication skills, and behavioral disorders. While the results of research conducted by the Danish National Birth Control also stated the same thing. From a total of 64,322 mothers, nearly half took paracetamol while pregnant and had children with symptoms or even diagnosed with autism by doctors.
The latest research published in the journal Pediatric in 2017 revealed that the use of paracetamol 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 child developing ADHD compared to mothers who did not use painkillers at all. In fact, other studies have shown that long-term use of paracetamol for 29 days or more can increase the risk of ADHD by 22 percent.
Why is that?
Until now, it is still unclear how the relationship between paracetamol which is consumed by mothers during pregnancy can cause fetal growth disorders which then have an impact on children's behavior disorders. However, experts suspect that there are several hypotheses that might answer this relationship.
Long-term use of the drug paracetamol is thought to affect the receptors in the brain that function to mature brain cells and act as a link between brain cells. Disruption in the function of these receptors is thought to cause impaired brain development in babies since they are still in the womb. In addition, paracetamol also disrupts the immune system which can have an impact on the development of the fetal nervous system.
Previous research has suggested that this drug is thought to affect the hormonal system so that exposure to this drug during pregnancy can affect the development of the fetus that grows during pregnancy. Another theory also suggests that consumption of paracetamol for pregnant women might cause poisoning to the fetus, thus directly impacting its growth.
So, is it safe to take paracetamol for pregnant women?
These findings are quite worrying because almost more than 50 percent of pregnant women use paracetamol for pain relief. Moreover, this drug is easy to buy and sell anywhere. Even so, there is no evidence that can actually show that taking paracetamol while pregnant can harm your fetus. Further research needs to be done.
The category of paracetamol drugs for pregnancy is B, which means little or no risk in a number of cases. Until recently, paracetamol or acetaminophen is 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 more dangerous effects. Ibuprofen, according to various studies, is said to pose a risk of miscarriage and is harmful to the kidneys and heart of the fetus.
What is the safe dose of paracetamol during pregnancy?
You don't necessarily have to panic and avoid taking paracetamol if necessary. However, you still shouldn't be carelessly taking paracetamol while pregnant. The use of paracetamol 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 paracetamol dose during pregnancy is one or two tablets a day, for a total of 500 mg or 1000 mg. Paracetamol can be taken up to four times a day (every 4-6 hours). However, before taking paracetamol while pregnant, you should first consult with your doctor. You may be advised to take paracetamol at a dose even lower than that.
It would be better if before using the drug, you try other alternatives first to relieve pain or reduce fever. For example, with adequate rest, warm compresses, eating healthy foods, and drinking more water. If it does not go away, consult your doctor first before taking any medication.
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