Stay away from this pain relief.
Estimations suggest that as many as two-thirds of pregnant individuals resort to acetaminophen (commonly known as Tylenol) to alleviate pain, considering it a relatively safe option for pain relief during pregnancy. However, a recent study published in the journal Pediatric Research unveils a potential connection between frequent use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and language delays in young children.
Researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign examined 532 newborns, collecting language data from a subset of them at ages 2 and 3. Throughout pregnancy, mothers were regularly questioned about their acetaminophen use, revealing that its usage in the second and third trimesters correlated with significant delays in early language development. The study highlighted that each additional use of acetaminophen in the third trimester appeared to be associated with a reduction of two words in a 2-year-old’s vocabulary.
Dr. Megan Woodbury, a lead study author, emphasized that a pregnant individual taking acetaminophen around 13 times during the third trimester might observe their child expressing 26 fewer words at age 2 compared to peers. Notably, the impact was more pronounced on language development at age 3 when acetaminophen was used in the third trimester.
These findings hold weight as other painkillers, such as ibuprofen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are discouraged beyond the first trimester due to potential complications and adverse effects on fetal development. Given that the second and third trimesters are crucial for fetal brain development, concerns arise over the potential consequences of acetaminophen use during this period.
Dr. Gina Posner, a pediatrician not involved in the study, expressed concern about the implications, noting that substances passing into the fetus from the mother’s intake could pose risks, even substances considered harmless.
Prior research has also linked acetaminophen use during pregnancy to language delays and an increased risk of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, experts caution against definitive conclusions at this early stage, advocating for further research to confirm these findings.
Dr. Daniel Ganjian, a pediatrician, stressed the need for caution in interpreting the outcomes of a single study, emphasizing the necessity for more investigation to establish conclusive evidence. Dr. Carl Baum echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the need to ascertain whether acetaminophen directly causes issues with language development or if it is correlated with other factors affecting prenatal brain development, such as infections or inflammation.
In light of these findings, experts advise pregnant individuals to exercise moderation even with medications considered “safe,” emphasizing the importance of consulting healthcare providers before taking any medication during pregnancy. They underscored that while these findings contribute to ongoing research on acetaminophen and fetal development, the current advice remains unchanged: avoid unnecessary medications during pregnancy and seek guidance from healthcare professionals.
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