Paracetamol in the womb: Impaired listening processing reveals risks for brain development

Paracetamol in the womb: Impaired listening processing reveals risks for brain development

paracetamol, a frequently used pain and fever, is considered one of the safest medication that can be taken during pregnancy. However, new studies are raising questions about possible consequences of paracetamol on the unborn child. Scientists have found that paracetamol and its breakdown products can reach the fetus and also cross the blood-brain barrier. The latest, extensive examinations indicate that taking paracetamol could increase the risk of neurological developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and development delays (DD).

Since hearing disorders are a common feature of ASD, the hypothesis was set up that animals that were exposed to paracetamol in the womb have an impaired function of the brain stem in the area of ​​hearing. This assumption was examined on young rats, whereby changes in their hearing perception were carefully pursued according to high doses of paracetamol. It turned out that the body or the brain weight of the animals was not influenced, but the opening of the ears was delayed and higher hearing thresholds. Delays were also observed in the measured reactions of the brain on acoustic stimuli.

possible future developments

These results indicate that high-dose paracetamol revenue can affect the development and function of the auditory brain stem during pregnancy. This knowledge could help to establish simple, non-invasive hearing tests as early detection instruments for neurological developmental disorders. If further studies confirm these results, this could lead to adaptations in medical practice, according to which paracetamol distribution is handled during pregnancy.

basic terms and concepts

• paracetamol: a widespread drug for the treatment of pain and fever.
• analgesic and antipyretic: refers to pain relief (analgesic) and the fever lowering (antipyretic) of medication.
• autism spectrum disorder (ASD): a developmental disorder that includes different skills in social interactions and communication.
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a neurological disorder that is characterized by continuing inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
• Development delays (DD): delays in achieving development mile stones compared to peers.
• brain stem and acoustic signals: The brain stem is part of the brain that controls essential functions, including reactions to acoustic stimuli.

abbreviations

• ASD-autism spectrum disorder
• ADHD-attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• DD - Development delay
• ABR - auditory evoked brain stammer

Influence of paracetamol on the development of the auditorial brain stem

The present study deals with the effects of intrauterine exposure to paracetamol on neurophysiological development, especially in the area of ​​the auditorial brain stem. Paracetamol, known as a safe pain and fever-lowering medication during pregnancy, and its metabolites can overcome the placental barrier and pass the blood-brain barrier. Current large epidemiological studies indicate that exposure to paracetamol in the womb can increase the risk of neuro-development-related disorders such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and development delays (DD).

Experimental method and results

The research team examined the hypothesis that animals that were exposed to paracetamol in Utero would have impairments in the function of the auditorial brain stem. To investigate this hypothesis, recorded and analyzed in Sprague-Dawley rats on the postnatal day 21 and 29 click-induced auditorial brain stamina.

• Exposition in Utero against high doses of paracetamol had no influence on the body or brain weight of the rats.
• However, a significant delay of the ear opening was observed.
• The animals showed increased abrasive thresholds and extended wave and interweating latencies.
• These latency extensions were present at the highest tested click intensity, but most pronounced near the threshold.

evaluation and implications

The results indicate that the development and function of the auditorial brain stem can be impaired by a high dose of paracetamol exposure. This could indicate that simple, non-invasive tests of the auditory function can be useful as an early screening instrument for neuro-development-related disorders. The study emphasizes the need for further research to clarify the mechanisms through which paracetamol can influence neurological development.

The knowledge of this study underlines caution when using paracetamol during pregnancy and suggest that the potential effects on neural development should be further examined, particularly in the event of high exposure.

For more details and further information, we refer to the original publication: https://pubmed.nlm.nih.gov/39550993