No paracetamol for kids?
November 16, 2011
UNTIL more research has been
undertaken, children with asthma
should avoid the use of
acetaminophen (paracetamol),
according to a new study published
in Pediatrics.
The article reviewed the evidence
of the epidemiologic association
between acetaminophen use and
asthma prevalence and severity in
children, and suggested that
paracetamol may have contributed
to the recent increase in asthmatic
children.
Article author John McBride
suggests a variety of observations
indicate the causal role of
paraectamol in asthma including:
the strength of the association; the
consistency of the association
across age, geography and culture;
the dose-response relationship; the
timing of increased acetaminophen
use and the asthma epidemic; the
relationship between per-capita
sales of acetaminophen and
asthma prevalence across countries;
the results of a double-blind trial of
ibuprofen and acetaminophen for
treatment of fever in asthmatic
children; and that the metabolism
of acetaminophen provides a
biologically plausible explanation
for causation: depletion in airway
mucosal glutathione that could
contribute to vulnerability to
oxidant stress.
“Considering currently available
data, I now recommend that any
child with asthma or a family
history of asthma avoid using
acetaminophen,” he said.
The Australian Self Medication
Industry has responded to the
article saying the association
between paracetamol exposure
and the incidence of childhood
asthma remains unclear.
According to ASMI Regulatory and
Scientific Affairs Director, Steven
Scarff, whilst the examination of
evidence is “important”, the article
does not shed new light on the link
between the pair.
Scarff also noted that McBride
concluded that paracetamol use in
early life was not an independent
risk factor for childhood asthma.
“Paracetamol has been available
for more than 50 years and the
vast majority of adults and
children experience no undesirable
effects, when used as directed,” a
statement from ASMI said.
“It remains an effective and safe
option for the treatment of pain
and fever, and is the most
commonly recommended over the
counter analgesic/antipyretic for
use during pregnancy and in
children,” the statement added.
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