Children who are given paracetamol in their early years are more likely to get asthma, researchers say today at the end of a major worldwide study.
More than 200,000 children were involved in the research in 31 countries, making this the biggest and most authoritative study of the links between asthma and paracetamol ever carried out. The scientists found that babies given paracetamol, such as the ubiquitous Calpol, which is licensed for use over two months of age, were more likely to develop asthma. So were those in later childhood who were given it frequently. Use of the drug was also associated with a risk of eczema and rhinoconjunctivitis (allergy-linked runny nose and watering eyes).
Professor Richard Beasley, from the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand in Wellington, and colleagues, who publish their results today in the Lancet medical journal, say the study shows taking paracetamol is a "risk factor" for childhood asthma. It does not prove it causes it, but may be a reason to avoid over-use.Children who are given paracetamol in their early years are more likely to get asthma,... more
