Paracetamol or acetaminophen, a drug generally labeled as safe to treat pain and fever in pregnant women, has again been linked to behavioral issues in children when used during pregnancy.

 A new study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics offers further evidence of the potential dangers of taking paracetamol during pregnancy. Researchers, however, said further studies are needed to understand the mechanism behind this link and to confirm the findings.

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Obstetrician-gynecologists consider paracetamol the only safe pain reliever for pregnant women. Among the popular paracetamol brands worldwide are Tylenol, Calpol, Panadol and Biogesic. Paracetamol is classified as a mild analgesic and is generally considered safe at recommended doses.

The study discovered that women who took paracetamol during pregnancy are more likely to give birth to children with behavioral issues such as hyperactivity and conduct problems.

Taking paracetamol between the 18th and 32nd week of pregnancy was associated with increased chances that when a child turns seven years old, his parents would report problematic behaviors, said study researcher Evie Stergiakouli from the University of Bristol.

The study also said women using paracetamol at 18 weeks of pregnancy have 42 percent increased odds of reporting hyperactivity and 31 percent increased likelihood of reporting conduct problems in the child compared to counterparts that didn't use paracetamol during the same period of gestation.

It found that women who took the drug at 32 weeks of pregnancy have 29 percent increased likelihood of reporting emotional difficulties in the child at age seven compared to women who didn't take paracetamol.

The children of the women who took paracetamol late in pregnancy were also found to have 46 percent increased likelihood of experiencing a range of behavioral difficulties compared with children born to a mother that didn't take paracetamol during that stage of pregnancy.

"We have demonstrated that children exposed prenatally to acetaminophen in the second and third trimesters are at increased risk of multiple behavioral difficulties, including hyperactivity and conduct problems," said the study.

"Prenatal acetaminophen exposure at 32 weeks' gestation was also associated with emotional problems."

TagsParacetamol, acetaminophen, Pregnancy, JAMA pediatrics, Tylenol, Calpol