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The study, which was carried out by scientists at the University of Edinburgh, said that the prolonged use could reduce testosterone production in unborn baby boys. They said the findings could help explain a possible link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and reproductive health problems in young boys.
Published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, the study looked at the effect of paracetamol on testosterone production in mice that carried grafts of human testicular tissue. The grafts have been shown to mimic how the developing testes grow and function during pregnancy.
Scientists gave the mice a typical daily dose of paracetamol, over a period of either 24 hours or seven days. They then measured the amount of testosterone produced by the human tissue an hour after the final dose of paracetamol.
They found there was no effect on testosterone production following 24 hours of paracetamol treatment. However, after seven days of exposure, the amount of testosterone was reduced by 45%.
Those behind the study have said further research is needed to establish the mechanism by which paracetamol might have this effect.
Paracetamol is the primary medicine used for managing pain and fever during pregnancy.
Testosterone, meanwhile, is crucial for life-long male health and reduced exposure to the hormone in the womb has been linked to an increased risk of infertility and testicular cancer.
Commenting on the findings, Dr Rod Mitchell, Wellcome Trust Intermediate Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh, said: "This study adds to existing evidence that prolonged use of paracetamol in pregnancy may increase the risk of reproductive disorders in male babies.
"We would advise that pregnant women should follow current guidance that the painkiller be taken at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time."
In a statement, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health responded to the study's findings.
Dr Martin Ward-Platt, of the RCPCH, said: "The findings of this study send a clear message – expectant mothers should not prolong paracetamol use during pregnancy, only taking it when necessary and as per current NICE guidelines.
"However, the study specifically relates to paracetamol use over at least several days. There are times where one or two doses is needed to treat one off episodes of fever for example.
"Fever during pregnancy can be harmful to the developing embryo, with links to a significant increase in the rates of spina bifida and heart malformations, so small doses of paracetamol are sometimes necessary."
He added: "My message to expectant mothers is clear – avoid over use of paracetamol but if you do have a fever, or any other sort of pain where you would normally use paracetamol, seek medical advice."
The study was funded by the Wellcome Trust, the British Society of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes and the Medical Research Council.
(JP)
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Warning Over Paracetamol Use During Pregnancy
New research has claimed that the long-term use of paracetamol by women during their pregnancy could pose a risk to the health of their unborn sons.The study, which was carried out by scientists at the University of Edinburgh, said that the prolonged use could reduce testosterone production in unborn baby boys. They said the findings could help explain a possible link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and reproductive health problems in young boys.
Published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, the study looked at the effect of paracetamol on testosterone production in mice that carried grafts of human testicular tissue. The grafts have been shown to mimic how the developing testes grow and function during pregnancy.
Scientists gave the mice a typical daily dose of paracetamol, over a period of either 24 hours or seven days. They then measured the amount of testosterone produced by the human tissue an hour after the final dose of paracetamol.
They found there was no effect on testosterone production following 24 hours of paracetamol treatment. However, after seven days of exposure, the amount of testosterone was reduced by 45%.
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Those behind the study have said further research is needed to establish the mechanism by which paracetamol might have this effect.
Paracetamol is the primary medicine used for managing pain and fever during pregnancy.
Testosterone, meanwhile, is crucial for life-long male health and reduced exposure to the hormone in the womb has been linked to an increased risk of infertility and testicular cancer.
Commenting on the findings, Dr Rod Mitchell, Wellcome Trust Intermediate Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh, said: "This study adds to existing evidence that prolonged use of paracetamol in pregnancy may increase the risk of reproductive disorders in male babies.
"We would advise that pregnant women should follow current guidance that the painkiller be taken at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time."
In a statement, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health responded to the study's findings.
Dr Martin Ward-Platt, of the RCPCH, said: "The findings of this study send a clear message – expectant mothers should not prolong paracetamol use during pregnancy, only taking it when necessary and as per current NICE guidelines.
"However, the study specifically relates to paracetamol use over at least several days. There are times where one or two doses is needed to treat one off episodes of fever for example.
"Fever during pregnancy can be harmful to the developing embryo, with links to a significant increase in the rates of spina bifida and heart malformations, so small doses of paracetamol are sometimes necessary."
He added: "My message to expectant mothers is clear – avoid over use of paracetamol but if you do have a fever, or any other sort of pain where you would normally use paracetamol, seek medical advice."
The study was funded by the Wellcome Trust, the British Society of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes and the Medical Research Council.
(JP)
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