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Paracetamol in early infancy: the risk of childhood allergy and asthma
Author(s) -
Bakkeheim Egil,
Mowinckel Peter,
Carlsen Kai Håkon,
Håland Geir,
Carlsen Karin C Lødrup
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2010.01942.x
Subject(s) - medicine , asthma , allergy , sensitization , pregnancy , odds ratio , pediatrics , prospective cohort study , family history , immunology , genetics , biology
Aim: We investigated whether paracetamol exposure in pregnancy and until 6 months of age was associated with allergic disease in school children. Methods: In a prospective birth cohort study in Oslo, 1016 children included at birth were re‐investigated at 10 years. Paracetamol exposure in pregnancy and until 6 months of age was registered. Outcomes at 10 years included current asthma, a history of asthma, allergic sensitization and allergic rhinitis. Results: Maternal paracetamol use in the first trimester increased the risk for allergic rhinitis at 10 years OR (odds ratio) (95%CI) 2.30 (1.06, 4.97) in boys and girls. Paracetamol use until 6 months in girls increased the risk for allergic sensitization OR 2.20 (1.15, 4.22) and a history of asthma OR 2.20 (1.13, 4.30). The ORs for allergic sensitization and history of asthma in girls remained unchanged adjusting for upper or lower airway infections during the first 6 months of life. Conclusion: Paracetamol exposure in pregnancy was associated with allergic rhinitis, but not with asthma or allergic sensitization at 10 years of age. Paracetamol used until 6 months of age was associated with allergic sensitization and having a history of asthma in girls at 10 years of age, even considering concomitant airway infections.