Paracetamol in early infancy: the risk of childhood allergy and asthma
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Published on: August 7, 2017
Egil Bakkeheim1, Peter Mowinckel, Kai Håkon Carlsen
1Department of Paediatrics, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Norway. bake@uus.no
Insights
Paracetamol use during pregnancy was linked to allergic rhinitis in children. Exposure until six months increased allergy risks in girls, including asthma history and sensitization, regardless of infections.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is a common medication used during pregnancy and infancy.
- The potential long-term effects of early-life paracetamol exposure on allergic diseases remain a public health concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between paracetamol exposure during pregnancy and in early infancy (up to 6 months) and the development of allergic diseases in school-aged children.
- To determine if these associations persist after accounting for respiratory infections.
Main Methods:
- Prospective birth cohort study in Oslo, Norway, with 1016 children followed from birth to 10 years of age.
- Data collected on maternal paracetamol use during pregnancy and infant paracetamol use up to 6 months.
- Assessment of allergic outcomes at 10 years, including current asthma, history of asthma, allergic sensitization, and allergic rhinitis.
Main Results:
- Maternal paracetamol use in the first trimester was significantly associated with an increased risk of allergic rhinitis at age 10 (OR 2.30).
- Paracetamol use in girls up to 6 months of age was linked to higher risks of allergic sensitization (OR 2.20) and a history of asthma (OR 2.20).
- These associations in girls remained significant even after adjusting for upper or lower airway infections during the first 6 months of life.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal paracetamol exposure is associated with allergic rhinitis in children at 10 years.
- Early-life paracetamol exposure (up to 6 months) is linked to allergic sensitization and a history of asthma in girls.
- The findings suggest a potential role for paracetamol in the development of allergic diseases, independent of common respiratory infections.
Aim:
We investigated whether paracetamol exposure in pregnancy and until 6 months of age was associated with allergic disease in school children.
Methods:
In a prospective birth cohort study in Oslo, 1016 children included at birth were re-investigated at 10 years. Paracetamol exposure in pregnancy and until 6 months of age was registered. Outcomes at 10 years included current asthma, a history of asthma, allergic sensitization and allergic rhinitis.
Results:
Maternal paracetamol use in the first trimester increased the risk for allergic rhinitis at 10 years OR (odds ratio) (95%CI) 2.30 (1.06, 4.97) in boys and girls. Paracetamol use until 6 months in girls increased the risk for allergic sensitization OR 2.20 (1.15, 4.22) and a history of asthma OR 2.20 (1.13, 4.30). The ORs for allergic sensitization and history of asthma in girls remained unchanged adjusting for upper or lower airway infections during the first 6 months of life.
Conclusion:
Paracetamol exposure in pregnancy was associated with allergic rhinitis, but not with asthma or allergic sensitization at 10 years of age. Paracetamol used until 6 months of age was associated with allergic sensitization and having a history of asthma in girls at 10 years of age, even considering concomitant airway infections.
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