Study Links Prenatal Paracetamol to 40% Smaller Infant Ovaries and Reduced Testicular Volume
Updated
Updated · New Scientist · Sep 8
Study Links Prenatal Paracetamol to 40% Smaller Infant Ovaries and Reduced Testicular Volume
3 articles · Updated · New Scientist · Sep 8
Summary
About 300 Danish infant girls exposed to paracetamol in the womb had ovaries 40% smaller by volume at three months, along with 13% smaller uteruses and 23% fewer ovarian follicles on average.
The same cohort of 685 pregnancies also showed smaller average testicular volume in boys, and researchers said higher maternal doses were tied to bigger effects even though none exceeded 4,000 milligrams a day.
Researchers stressed the study shows association, not causation: underlying illness, other maternal differences and multiple statistical tests could explain part or all of the findings, and fertility effects in humans remain unknown.
A second dataset covering 1,210 girls born in Copenhagen also linked fetal exposure to smaller ovaries in adolescence, while animal and cell studies point in the same direction.
Doctors said paracetamol should still be used for high fever or strong pain in pregnancy, but the findings support limiting use for milder discomfort and considering non-drug alternatives, especially in the first trimester.