Title
Is intrauterine exposure to acetaminophen associated with emotional and hyperactivity problems during childhood? Findings from the 2004 Pelotas birth cohort
Date Issued
20 November 2018
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Tovo-Rodrigues L.
Schneider B.C.
Martins-Silva T.
Del-Ponte B.
Schuler-Faccini L.
Vianna F.S.L.
Munhoz T.N.
Entiauspe L.
Silveira M.F.
Santos I.S.
Matijasevich A.
Barros A.J.D.
Rohde L.A.
Bertoldi A.D.
Universidade Federal de Pelotas
Publisher(s)
BioMed Central Ltd.
Abstract
Background: Longitudinal studies have consistently reported that prenatal exposure to acetaminophen can to lead to an increased risk of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder during childhood. This study aimed to investigate the association between intrauterine exposure to acetaminophen and the presence of emotional and behavioral problems at the ages of 6 and 11 years in a low-middle income country. Methods: We performed a prospective longitudinal population-based study using data from the 2004 Pelotas birth cohort. From the 4231 initial cohort participants, 3722 and 3566 children were assessed at 6 and 11 years of age, respectively. The outcomes were assessed using the parent version of Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The cut-off points established for the Brazilian population were used to categorize the outcomes. Crude and adjusted odds ratio were obtained through logistic regression. Results: Acetaminophen was used by 27.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 26.1-28.9) of the mothers at least once during pregnancy. The prevalence of emotional problems at 6 and 11 years was 13.6 and 19.9%, respectively. For hyperactivity problems, prevalence was 13.9 and 16.1%, respectively. Intrauterine exposure to acetaminophen increased the odds of having emotional (odds ratio [OR] = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.07-2.02) and hyperactivity/inattention (OR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.06-1.92) problems in 6-year-old boys. At the age of 11, a small decrease in the effect was observed for both outcomes after adjustment: OR = 1.31 (95% CI: 0.99-1.73) for emotional problems and OR = 1.25 (95% CI: 0.95-1.65) for hyperactivity/inattention in boys. No association for any phenotypes at both ages was observed for girls. Conclusion: The effect of intrauterine exposure to acetaminophen in emotional and hyperactivity symptoms was dependent on sex in a Brazilian cohort. While it seemed to be important for boys, mainly at 6 years of age, for girls, no association was observed.
Volume
18
Issue
1
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Abuso de sustancias PsicologĂ­a (incluye terapias de aprendizaje, habla, visual y otras discapacidades fĂ­sicas y mentales)
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85056802265
PubMed ID
Source
BMC Psychiatry
Sponsor(s)
This article is based on data from the study "Pelotas Birth Cohort, 2004" conducted by Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology at Universidade Federal de Pelotas, with the collaboration of the Brazilian Public Health Association (ABRASCO). From 2009 to 2013, the Wellcome Trust supported the 2004 birth cohort study. The World Health Organization, National Support Program for Centers of Excellence (PRONEX), Brazilian National Research Council (CNPq), Brazilian Ministry of Health, and Children’s Pastorate supported previous phases of the study. The 11-year follow-up was supported by the Science and Technology Department / Brazilian Ministry of Health, with resources transferred through the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), grant 400943/2013–1. This article is supported by São Paulo Reseach Foundation - FAPESP (grant number 2014/13864-6). This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001. Alicia Matijasevich and Iná S. Santos are supported by the CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development).
Sources of information: Directorio de ProducciĂłn CientĂ­fica Scopus