Potential link between heartburn meds and asthma

New research has suggested that there may be a link between prescribed heartburn medication taken during pregnancy, and the development of asthma in childhood.

Researchers analysed eight studies involving 1.3 million children, and assessed the health care registries and prescription data of mother and child. They found that children of mothers who were prescribed acid-suppressant medications to treat heartburn were at least a third more likely to be treated for asthma in childhood.

Experts stress that the results are not conclusive and it is possible that they are other factors that explain this trend, and therefore more research is needed. In the meantime, there has been no change in the recommendations made to pregnant women experiencing heartburn.

Director of Policy and Research at Asthma UK, Dr Samantha Walker, commented “It is important to stress that this research is at a very early stage and expectant mums should continue to take any medication they need under the guidance of their doctor or nurse.”

 
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