Unborn baby boys could be greatly harmed by paracetamol, a new study has revealed.
On
the heels of the study, pregnant women were warned that taking
paracetamol could have life-long effects on baby boys, raising their
risk of everything from infertility to cancer.
In
a report published in Science Translational Medicine, Edinburgh
University researchers said that if the tablets are taken, they should
be used in the lowest possible dose, for the shortest possible time,
while the Royal College of Midwives said mothers-to-be should seek
medical advice before taking paracetamol at all.
Paracetamol is the only painkiller deemed safe in
pregnancy, however several studies have suggested it interferes with the
development of the male reproductive system while still in the womb.
Thus,
the child could be at a higher risk of a range of problems from genital
birth defects to infertility and testicular cancer.
It's
also been discovered that women who take paracetamol during pregnancy
may increase the risk of their child developing(Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder) ADH.
Collecting data from a
study of 871 European infants, the researchers analysed the drug use of
paracetamol, aspirin, antacids, and antibiotics during pregnancy. They
then measured behavioural difficulties and ADHD symptoms in children at
age 7 and age 11.
Almost half of the study mothers
took paracetamol during pregnancy and their children were more at risk
of behavioural difficulties and ADHD.
The other drugs however caused no significant differences in behaviour.
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