JERUSALEM, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Researchers have found no evidence linking the use of common painkillers during early pregnancy with major birth defects, Israel's Ben Gurion University of the Negev said in a statement on Tuesday.
In a comprehensive study published in PLOS Medicine, the researchers analyzed more than 260,000 pregnancies across two decades, focusing on the use of common nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and diclofenac.
After adjusting for factors such as fever, infections, and underlying health conditions, they found that first-trimester NSAID exposure was not associated with an increased risk of birth defects.
The findings suggest that previously observed differences between women who took these medications and those who did not were likely due to the medical conditions requiring treatment, rather than the drugs themselves.
A second study by the team, published in Human Reproduction Open, examined paracetamol use during pregnancy and outcomes such as low birth weight, premature birth, low Apgar scores, and newborn complications.
The researchers found no clear link between paracetamol use and these adverse outcomes, regardless of the stage of pregnancy.
Overall, the studies provide reassurance that commonly used pain and fever medicines, when taken as needed under medical guidance, are not independently associated with major birth defects or serious pregnancy complications. ■
