British doctors from the University of Aberdeen reported in an article for the medical journal BMJ Open that pain relievers and antipyretics during pregnancy, especially ibuprofen and paracetamol, can cause miscarriages and stillbirths.
Researchers collected data on more than 151,000 pregnancies between 1985 and 2015. Some of the women took pain relievers and antipyretics — paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, and naproxen.
Women who took pain relievers were more likely to suffer from pregnancy complications. Thus, the risk of having a child with low body weight was 28% higher, defects in neural tube development necessary for the formation of the brain and spine, congenital defects of the penis were 64% more common. boys were observed 27% more frequently.
The risk of stillbirth was 33% higher, and the risk of miscarriage or preterm birth was 50% higher. In addition, the risk of infant death in the first month of life was 50% higher.
Paracetamol is considered safe during pregnancy. Other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, especially if used frequently, can affect a child’s circulation and kidney function, so their use is considered undesirable.
An average of 3 out of 10 women took over-the-counter pain medications during pregnancy. However, in 2008-2015 this happened twice as often as before, indicating a rapid increase in the use of painkillers.
However, the study’s authors acknowledge that it is not known how often and at what dose the women took the pain relievers.
“Detailed information on the precise dose and timing of administration during pregnancy was not available in our dataset,” they write.
“According to WHO recommendations, taking paracetamol and ibuprofen during pregnancy is permissible once, without systemic use,” obstetrician-gynecologist Victoria Fisyuk at the SM-Clinic Center for Reproductive Health told socialbites.ca. – It is also highly recommended not to be taken during the first and third trimesters. But significant contraindications for the use of these drugs by pregnant women in the second trimester have not been identified. They can also be taken during breastfeeding. There is no convincing evidence that unsystematic use of these drugs increases the risk of miscarriage or preterm birth, nor is there evidence that they cause autism or hyperactivity. This can probably be observed when taken systematically.
But it is important to consider that the appointment of any drug is resorted to only if it is really necessary and only as directed by a doctor.
Paracetamol is one of two antipyretic and analgesic drugs approved for use by pregnant and lactating women. The doctor stated that the mechanism of action and safety of paracetamol has been clinically confirmed in connection with which paracetamol is included in the list of essential drugs compiled by WHO. Another drug allowed during pregnancy is ibuprofen.
“However, a number of articles have recently been published discussing the possibility of harming the fetus while taking ibuprofen. We are talking about the future negative impact of egg reserve in girls, a factor in the reduction of ovarian reserve, and possible infertility. Regarding men, cryptorchidism – testes in the fetus due to possible development of undescended testicles into the scrotum. However, these experiments were carried out in laboratories where a direct effect on cells was considered and the factor that the human body has a “use” function that can neutralize many negative effects of one or another nature. Nevertheless, after 22-24 weeks, the use of ibuprofen in the fetus was not taken into account. It has been proven that it can lead to the development of cardiovascular diseases,” added Fisyuk.
Fisyuk stated that the responsibility of giving birth during pregnancy belongs not only to the expectant mother, but also to the doctors. Ideally, pregnancy should continue without taking any medications – only vitamin and mineral complexes are acceptable at the planning stage.
Before planning, you need to visit an obstetrician-gynecologist. If necessary, he will prescribe folic acid and iodine preparations. It is also recommended to visit a dentist, ophthalmologist, neurologist and orthopedist.
“Such preventive measures before pregnancy will help prevent many negative manifestations, including headache, backache and toothache,” Fisyuk said. Said. –
Therefore, when a pregnant woman complains of a headache, she often has to prescribe drugs such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. You may also need to take these medications for untreated bruises. This includes various viral infections accompanied by an increase in body temperature.
In the study, the most adverse effects were observed while taking paracetamol and other drugs, but the mechanism of this is not yet fully understood. Researchers insist that more attention should be paid to researching the possible side effects of pain relievers on the fetus during pregnancy, as well as informing women more about possible harm: pregnant women often take medication without a doctor’s advice, focusing on, for example, the following. advice on the Internet.