Some health care experts suggest that rising asthma rates may be caused by an increase in acetaminophen prescriptions for children, the New York Times reports.
In 1980s, many physicians stopped prescribing aspirin for children's fevers after the medication was linked to Reye’s syndrome, and instead began prescribing acetaminophen. Since then, more than 20 studies—including one analysis of more than 200,000 children—have found evidence of an increased risk of asthma in kids who had taken acetaminophen.
Most recently, a paper in Pediatrics by Akron Children's Hospital pediatrician John McBride argued that the link is strong enough to recommend that physicians not prescribe the drug to infants and kids at risk of asthma. Although he has not conclusive linked acetaminophen to asthma, McBride says that "the burden of proof is now to show that it’s safe" (Aschwanden, Times, 12/19).
Dr. Brooks
Chiropractor, Fairfax VA 22031
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