A matched patient-sibling study on the usage of paracetamol and the subsequent development of allergy and asthma.

Full Abstract

A number of studies have suggested that intake of paracetamol during pregnancy and during the first months of life is associated with an increased risk of childhood asthma. We aimed to determine the association between paracetamol usage during pregnancy and the first 6 months of life, and childhood allergy (i.e. positive skin prick tests), allergic asthma, and asthma, using a matched patient-sibling study comparing patients with allergic asthma with their healthy siblings without any symptoms of allergic diseases. Allergy in patients and their siblings was determined by skin prick tests. Children having at least one positive skin prick test were considered to be allergic. Intake of paracetamol was assessed by standardized, interviewer-administered, questionnaire. Nineteen pairs of allergic asthma patients vs. non-allergic siblings were compared to determine the risk factors for allergic asthma, while 15 pairs of allergic asthma patients vs. allergic siblings were compared to determine the risk factors for asthma. Moreover, 33 pairs of allergic asthma patients vs. non-asthmatic siblings (with and without allergy) were compared to determine the risk factors for asthma. In addition, 17 allergic siblings (without asthma) were compared with 19 non-allergic siblings (without asthma) to determine the risk factors for allergy. Usage of paracetamol during pregnancy was associated with allergic asthma (p = 0.03). Furthermore, usage of paracetamol between birth and 6 months of age, and between 4 and 6 months of age, was also found to be associated with non-allergic asthma (p = 0.008 and p = 0.03 respectively). Usage of paracetamol during pregnancy and during the early months of life may play a role in the development of allergic and non-allergic asthma in children. However, due to obvious ethical reasons, direct evidence for this association (i.e. a double-blind, prospective study) is not available.

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Author information

Author/s: Riece, Koniman (K); Yiong Huak, Chan (C); Teng Nging, Tan (T); Van Bever, Hugo P (HP);

Affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, National University Singapore, Singapore.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Pediatric allergy and immunology : official publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology (Pediatr Allergy Immunol), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Mar; vol 18 (issue 2) : pp 128-34

Dates: Created 2007/03/06; Completed 2007/05/01; Revised 2008/05/28;

PMID: 17338785, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Acetaminophen - adverse effects
Analgesics, Non-Narcotic - adverse effects
Asthma - etiology
Child
Child, Preschool
Female

Fetus - drug effects
Humans
Hypersensitivity - etiology
Male
Pregnancy
Siblings

Associated Chemicals: Analgesics, Non-Narcotic (0) ; Acetaminophen (103-90-2)

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