Acetaminophen and asthma

Paediatr Respir Rev. 2013 Mar;14(1):9-15; quiz 16. doi: 10.1016/j.prrv.2012.04.004. Epub 2012 May 11.

Abstract

Acetaminophen is a widely used medication for the treatment of pain and fever in children and pregnant women. There is substantial epidemiological evidence in adults and children that acetaminophen use is associated with asthma symptoms. There is also a considerable body of evidence that supports a modest but consistent association of acetaminophen use in pregnancy and early infancy with asthma in later childhood. This relationship is robust to adjustment for a large range of potential confounding factors and, in some studies, shows clear evidence of a dose-dependent association but the possibility of confounding by indication has remained a concern. However, the epidemiological evidence is now compelling and there is a clear need to establish causation so that appropriate advice and interventions can be developed for children at risk of asthma. This requires randomised trials of analgesics and antipyretics, including acetaminophen, in a variety of clinical settings.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acetaminophen / adverse effects*
  • Antipyretics / adverse effects
  • Asthma / chemically induced*
  • Asthma / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Global Health
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / epidemiology*

Substances

  • Antipyretics
  • Acetaminophen