A study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found evidence suggesting that the risk of childhood asthma associated with prenatal exposure to acetaminophen may depend on antioxidant genes in the mother. The results strengthen the argument for a causal link between acetaminophen exposure in early life and later childhood asthma. Participating mothers reported on their use of acetaminophen during pregnancy, as well as their child’s exposure to the drug during infancy. Histories of wheezing and any asthma and allergy symptoms and diagnoses in the children were recorded, along with details of environmental exposures and family lifestyles. Between ages 7 and 8 the children had allergy skin and blood tests and lung function tests. Both mothers and children had genetic testing performed. Researchers found evidence suggesting that the risk of childhood asthma associated with prenatal acetaminophen exposure depended on which variants of various antioxidant genes were present in the mother. In contrast, interactions between infant acetaminophen use and similar gene variants in the child were not seen. Findings add weight to the evidence implicating prenatal acetaminophen exposure in the development of childhood asthma. For access to the complete article, please click here.