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Taking paracetamol during pregnancy might increase the offspring's chances of developing neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to a study. Available over-the-counter, paracetamol -- also known as 'acetaminophen' -- is considered safe for managing headache, fever, and pain during pregnancy. Researchers, including those at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, US, analysed 46 previously published studies involving over a lakh participants across multiple countries. Findings published in the journal BioMed Central show that "higher-quality studies are more likely to show a link between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and increased risks of autism and ADHD," said author Diddier Prada, assistant professor of population health science and policy, environmental medicine and climate science, at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "Given the widespread use of this medication, even a small increase in risk could
Having diabetes during pregnancy could be associated to an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in the child such as autism, according to a study published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal. Children exposed to maternal diabetes were at a 25 per cent increased risk of developing autism spectrum disorder, 30 per cent increased risk of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and 32 per cent increased risk of intellectual disability, compared to those not exposed, according to the findings of the study. Maternal diabetes was also found to increase risk of communication, learning and motor disorders among exposed children. However, the researchers, including those from the Central South University, China, called for a cautious interpretation of the study's results as they said there is currently little evidence of a causal link. Cases of maternal diabetes -- Type 1 or Type 2, or developing gestational diabetes while pregnant -- are on the rise around the ...