Uso de paracetamol durante a gestação e os possíveis efeitos no neurodesenvolvimento infantil

Abstract

Acetaminophen is frequently used to treat fever and is considered safe during pregnancy. However, due to its transplacental passage and the metabolites transferred to the fetus following maternal use, there is a need for further studies to evaluate the potential risks to fetal development. This study aims to analyze and discuss research on the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and its possible implications for child health. To this end, an integrative literature review was conducted, sourcing articles from the electronic databases Scielo, PubMed e ScienceDirect. published in Portuguese and English between 2013 and 2024. Increasing evidence from epidemiological and experimental studies suggests that exposure to acetaminophen during pregnancy may have adverse consequences for fetal neurodevelopment, including an increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and cognitive impairments. There is a clear need for more research on this topic, particularly clinical studies, which pose a considerable challenge when studying this population.