February 24, 2014

expert reaction to paracetamol and ADHD

A preliminary study in JAMA Pediatrics found children of women who used paracetamol during pregnancy appear to be at higher risk for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-like behavioral problems.

Prof Philip Asherson, Professor of Molecular Psychiatry, MRC Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry, King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry, said:

“It is important that people are not alarmed by these findings and do not alter their use of paracetamol. Confounding effects are highly likely to provide the explanation so it is far too early to say that the association the researchers observe plays a causal role in ADHD. The response editorial by Thapar and colleagues summarise the issue perfectly.”

Dr Kate Langley, Developmental and Health Psychology, Cardiff University, said:

“This is an interesting but preliminary study which requires further investigation to see if there really is a causal link between taking paracetamol during pregnancy and ADHD in childhood. These findings should therefore be taken with caution and should not change practice.

“There are many reasons why women take paracetamol during pregnancy and it is possible that it is one of those factors, rather than the taking of paracetamol itself, which leads to a higher risk of childhood ADHD.

“It may be important to take medications such as paracetamol during pregnancy and pregnant women should continue to follow advice from their own healthcare professionals.”

Prof. Jim Stevenson, Emeritus Professor of Developmental Psychopathology at the University of Southampton said:

“This paper suggests that there is an association between mothers taking paracetamol during pregnancy and subsequent behaviours related to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in their children. The study on a large sample of Danish mothers was carefully conducted and analysed. However, as the authors recognise, and the accompanying editorial makes plain, an association in such an observational study cannot establish a causal link.

“The study should be used as basis for further experimental research not least because exposure to paracetamol during pregnancy is so common.”

‘Acetaminophen use during pregnancy, behavioral problems and Hyperkinetic disorders’ by Liewa, et al. published in JAMA Pediatrics on Monday 24^th February