Acetaminophen prenatal exposure linked to female reproductive changes in Danish study

A study conducted at Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark suggests that prenatal exposure to acetaminophen (paracetamol) may be associated with changes in the reproductive organ development of female infants.

The COPANA study, which tracked 685 pregnant women from March 2020 to November 2022, found that early fetal exposure was linked to reduced ovarian and uterine volume. Additionally, mid-to-late fetal exposure was associated with fewer ovarian follicles in the examined infant girls.

Researchers emphasized that while these findings contribute to a growing body of evidence, further large-scale studies with longer follow-up are necessary to determine the long-term clinical implications for future fertility. Dr. Margit Bistrup Fischer, a study co-author, noted that the study does not suggest pregnant women should stop using the medication when genuinely needed for fever or significant pain, but rather highlights the need for closer attention to its use given its widespread over-the-counter availability.