Researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have uncovered a significant association between the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and language delays in children, challenging the conventional belief in the safety of this over-the-counter pain reliever for expectant mothers.
Acetaminophen, widely regarded as a safe option for pain relief and fever reduction during pregnancy, is utilized by 50 to 65 percent of pregnant women in North America and Europe. However, a new study from the Illinois Kids Development Study (IKIDS) challenges the perceived harmlessness of acetaminophen during pregnancy.
Methodology and Focus of the Study:
Led by postdoctoral researcher Megan Woodbury and Professor Emerita Susan Schantz, the research diverged from previous studies by employing a more comprehensive approach. Instead of sporadic inquiries, the team engaged with participants every four to six weeks during pregnancy and within 24 hours of the child’s birth, totaling six time points during pregnancy.
The study concentrated on 298 children monitored prenatally and assessed at ages two and three, coinciding with a crucial period of language development known as the “word explosion.”
Key Findings:
The research revealed a meaningful connection between increased acetaminophen use, particularly during the third trimester, and modest yet significant delays in early language development. The impact was more pronounced in male children.
Woodbury stated, “We found that increased use of acetaminophen – especially during the third trimester – was associated with smaller vocabulary scores and shorter ‘mean length of utterance’ at two years.”
Critical New Insight:
One striking discovery was that each instance of acetaminophen use in the third trimester was linked to an almost two-word reduction in the vocabulary of 2-year-olds. This suggests a potential cumulative effect if the drug is used frequently during this critical period of fetal brain development.
Schantz emphasized the importance of the endocannabinoid system for fetal development, a system thought to be influenced by acetaminophen.
Study Implications and Caution:
While the findings are significant, the researchers urge caution against alarm and stress the necessity for larger studies. They emphasize that acetaminophen should not be avoided when managing serious pain and fever during pregnancy, but advise caution when using it for minor aches and pains.
“There aren’t other options for people to take when they really need them,” said Schantz. “But perhaps people should use more caution when turning to the drug to treat minor aches and pains.”
