title: Paracetamol in early infancy: the risk of childhood allergy and asthma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Norway. bake@uus.no
authors.forename: Egil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bakkeheim
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mowinckel
authors.forename: Kai Håkon
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Carlsen
authors.forename: Geir
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Håland
authors.forename: Karin C Lødrup
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Carlsen
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D000082:Acetaminophen