In addition, researchers suspect that paracetamol may cause developmental disorders such as autism and ADHD in the child.
It shows a review of about 30 international studies that from 1995 to 2020. They have examined a link between the pills and birth defects.
The review has 78 co-signatories from the USA, Sweden, the Netherlands and Denmark, among others. It is published in the journal Nature Reviews Endocrinolgy.
Among the researchers is biologist and research leader at Rigshospitalet David Møbjerg Kristensen. He calls for the information for pregnant women to be sharpened.
– There are now so many studies that show that there may be a connection between the pills and injuries to the unborn child.
– Therefore, pregnant women should be better informed when they come for examination by a doctor and midwife, says David Møbjerg Kristensen.
He himself is behind a study from 2011. It shows that paracetamol can affect the testicular cells in fetuses, so they produce less of the male sex hormone testosterone.
This can lead to the risk of malformed testicles.
No one knows how common it is among pregnant women to take paracetamol. But previous studies have shown that it is used by 40 to 50 percent of Danish pregnant women.
In a study from Rigshospitalet published in 2011, 11.5 percent of the women stated that they had used paracetamol for more than two weeks. This is the group that researchers are particularly concerned about.
– The research does not give an accurate picture of when the consumption of paracetamol becomes critical. But I can say that we are not nervous about the pregnant women taking a pill or two during pregnancy.
The package leaflet states that pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking the medicine.
According to the head of unit at the Danish Medicines Agency, Line Michan, several of the studies included in the review have already been assessed by the European Side Effects Committee (Prac). No later than 2019 without giving rise to the recommendations.
– Pregnant women should always be careful about taking medication. But with the knowledge we have at present, paracetamol can be used if necessary. But in the lowest possible dose in the shortest possible time.
The Danish Medicines Agency will now read the review and assess whether it gives rise to a further tightening.