简体中文
Women who take a common pain killer during pregnancy could be exposing their child to the risk of developing behavioral problems, according to a New Zealand study on Friday.
The study by the University of Auckland reinforced Danish research that found a link between Acetaminophen (commonly marketed as Paracetamol) taken during pregnancy and the increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children.
ADHD affected five percent to 10 percent of New Zealand school- age children and was characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
"Acetaminophen taken as Paracetamol was used by 49.8 percent of the study mothers during pregnancy," study leader John Thompson said in a statement.
The children of mothers who used acetaminophen during pregnancy were at increased risk of ADHD at seven and 11 years of age, he said.
"The finding that even low doses of acetaminophen/Paracetamol ( indicated by the number of weeks of drug exposure) can affect behavior seven years later is alarming because it is the most commonly used ante-natal drug," he said.
Understanding the biological mechanism underlying the link would likely take precedent in further research, along with efforts to inform the public of the newly identified risks of the commonly used over-the-counter drug.
