A scientific study, published on September 23, looked at the side effects of paracetamol during pregnancy. Experts call for caution.
We cannot say it enough: pregnancy and medication do not mix well and for good reason. Certain drugs such as ibuprofen are contraindicated because of their side effects on the health of the unborn baby. The only one that has been considered safe by healthcare professionals for years is paracetamol. This analgesic, many pregnant women take to relieve fever and pain. And yet, a recent study published this Thursday, September 23 in the medical journal Nature Reviews Endocrinology pointed to the drug.
Scientists sound the alarm
In this study, a group of thirteen scientists looked at the results of several experimental and epidemiological research showing that paracetamol could alter the development of the fetus. To do this, they analyzed the cause and effect links between the painkiller and the pregnancies that occurred between January 1, 1995 and October 25, 2020, reports our colleagues. HuffPost. Their finding is clear: they call for caution in the use of paracetamol. The latter would be a risk factor for anomalies. Among other things, it would act as an endocrine disruptor which disturbs the production of certain hormones in the fetus. And that’s not all.
“As scientists, medical experts and public health professionals, we are concerned about the increasing rates of neurological, urogenital and reproductive disorders. We are seeing a disturbing increase in the number of children with cognitive, learning and / or behavioral problems ”, they write in their report.
Read also : Pregnancy: Paracetamol would increase hyperactivity and attention deficit in children
Expert recommendations
Based on these findings, scientists recommend that pregnant women not take paracetamol to avoid all risks, unless prescribed by a doctor. In addition, they remind us that in the event of pregnancy it is important to consult a doctor or a pharmacist in case of doubt about a medication. Finally, just like ANSM (National Medicines Safety Agency), they advise to limit the side effects to take the smallest dose, at a frequency and for a duration as short as possible.