The use of paracetamol for infants and young children has been linked to an increased risk of developing asthma and allergies, according to a new report.
This follows a number of other studies highlighting the same link, but scientists and doctors agree that we are still far from knowing whether paracetamol causes asthma or other allergic conditions. They are confident that the benefits of paracetamol currently outweigh any potential risks.
This follows a number of other studies highlighting the same link, but scientists and doctors agree that we are still far from knowing whether paracetamol causes asthma or other allergic conditions. They are confident that the benefits of paracetamol currently outweigh any potential risks.
The New Zealand-based research team found that children given paracetamol before the age of 15 months (90% of children) were more than three times as likely to be sensitised to allergens. Children given paracetamol aged five to six years were more likely to experience wheezing and asthma, however by this age the increased risk of allergies had disappeared.
The research was published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Allergy and is based on the New Zealand Asthma and Allergy Cohort Study, which investigated use of paracetamol for 505 infants and 914 five and six-year-olds.
The researchers highlight that their results do not prove that paracetamol causes asthma - it is possible that children given the medicine earlier are those who are naturally more prone to infections and to asthma and allergies.
The researchers highlight that their results do not prove that paracetamol causes asthma - it is possible that children given the medicine earlier are those who are naturally more prone to infections and to asthma and allergies.
Julian Crane, Professor at Otago University in Wellington and author of the report was wary of drawing any strong conclusions. He said: 'The problem is that paracetamol is given quite liberally to young children.
'There's a lot of evidence suggesting that something is going on here. It's not completely clear-cut, that's the problem.'
Paracetamol, found in Calpol and other medicines, is by far the most popular treatment for pain and fever for children, after aspirin use dropped following a link to a potentially fatal condition called Reye's Syndrome.
'We need clinical trials to see whether these associations are causal or not, and to clarify the use of this common medication', said Professor Crane.
The Professor said that in the absence of other options and studies establishing a firm causal link, paracetamol should still be used for now.
'If I had a child with a fever, I'd give them paracetamol'
'There's a lot of evidence suggesting that something is going on here. It's not completely clear-cut, that's the problem.'
Paracetamol, found in Calpol and other medicines, is by far the most popular treatment for pain and fever for children, after aspirin use dropped following a link to a potentially fatal condition called Reye's Syndrome.
'We need clinical trials to see whether these associations are causal or not, and to clarify the use of this common medication', said Professor Crane.
The Professor said that in the absence of other options and studies establishing a firm causal link, paracetamol should still be used for now.
'If I had a child with a fever, I'd give them paracetamol'
Dr Elaine Vickers, Research Relations Manager at Asthma UK says: ‘Several studies from around the world have suggested there may be a link between giving children paracetamol and an increase in their risk of asthma and other allergic conditions. However, they have not established that paracetamol causes asthma.
'We know that paracetamol is a safe and effective treatment for pain and fever if given according to the manufacturer’s directions and at this stage we believe the benefits of using paracetamol far outweigh the potential risks.’
'We know that paracetamol is a safe and effective treatment for pain and fever if given according to the manufacturer’s directions and at this stage we believe the benefits of using paracetamol far outweigh the potential risks.’
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