Acetaminophen, a common over-the-counter painkiller during pregnancy, is usually considered safe.
However, a recent experiment raised some concerns as it found a correlation between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and some language delays in small children.
The results are quite alarming, because some language delays were found.
How it was tested
The experiment included regular check-ins with people during pregnancy, focusing on language development in around 300 2-year-old kids, with about 250 returning for additional study at age 3.
Unlike previous studies, which found links between acetaminophen use and child communication skills, this experiment used more accurate methods.
Using these meds during the 2 and 3 trimesters was connected to slight language delays in early development.
More acetaminophen use in the 3 trimester was linked to smaller vocabularies and shorter speech lengths in 2-year-olds.
Parents rated kids exposed to higher acetaminophen use during the third trimester lower in language abilities at age three, especially in males.
Each use of acetaminophen in the third trimester was tied to nearly a two-word reduction in vocabulary for 2-year-olds.
Why it's vital to know
The test results highlight that while women should not hesitate to use acetaminophen for necessary pain relief during pregnancy, it might be wise to exercise caution for minor aches and pains.
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