Rigshospitalet study links pregnancy paracetamol use to smaller child reproductive organs

Taking paracetamol during pregnancy may affect a child's internal reproductive organs.

New research from Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen shows organ size changes in children. Pregnant women taking the painkiller gave birth to children with smaller reproductive organs.

Girls were affected significantly in the medical study. Daughters of mothers who took paracetamol had 41 percent smaller ovaries on average. These girls also had fewer eggs and a smaller uterus.

Boys were also affected by maternal painkiller use. Sons of mothers who took paracetamol had testicles that were eight percent smaller on average.

The findings were originally reported by The Copenhagen Post.