Researchers citing data from the Norweigan Mother and Child Cohort Study have determined a unique link between using a painkiller while pregnant and its effect on the future health of a child. According to the information, the use of a common painkiller (paracetamol) during pregnancy could lead to children developing asthma.
RESEARCHERS COMPILE ASTHMA DATA TO DISCOVER LINK
By examing asthma outcomes at ages three and seven, researchers were able to demonstrate an association with the results to using paracetamol. Paracetamol is generally used by pregnant women to relieve pain, fever and influenza. It is extremely common among this demographic, which is now a cause for concern due to its adverse effects. In analyzing the data of children aged three and seven, the researchers determined that 5.7% had asthma at age three and 5.1% at age seven.
USING PARACETAMOL WHILE PREGNANT LEADS TO ASTHMA IN CHILDREN
The link researchers found between children with asthma, aged three and seven, and pregnant women that used paracetamol was quite consistent. The strongest association that was found was between a mother using paracetamol during pregnancy and expressed asthma symptoms in three-year-old children. Concluding data showed that prenatal exposure to paracetamol had a direct and independent association with asthma development.
SICK MOMS MAKE FOR HEALTHY KIDS
That is what researchers seem to be telling us anyway. Unless a new drug is manufactured, it seems unlikely that many pregnant women will avoid the use of paracetamol to aid their symptoms. Pain, influenza, and fever aren’t exactly feelings you can ignore. Add being pregnant to the mix and it seems that the majority will opt for the drug. Doing so, however, is going to result in a high-risk situation for your child. Given this new information, will moms now have to tough it out so their kids don’t get asthma? It seems like a rather unfair choice to make between your health and that of your child, but that seems to be the reality. Hopefully, doctors will soon look into an alternative that doesn’t rely on sick moms to produce a healthy, asthma free child.
