Table 1

Characteristics of mothers at time of pregnancy and children at age 5 (n=301)

Maternal demographic dataAcetaminophen use during pregnancy
No (n=198)Yes (n=103)
 Age, mean (SD), years24.7 (4.8)25.1 (5.5)
Race/ethnicity
African-American, n (%)
99/198 (50)39/103 (38)*
 Dominican, n (%)99/198 (50)64/103 (62)*
Health
Self-reported asthma, n (%)
48/198 (24)28/103 (27)
 Reported severe headaches in pregnancy, n (%)39/191 (20)36/98 (37)*
 Reported occasional headaches in pregnancy, n (%)96/195 (49)76/101 (75)*
 Reported abdominal cramps in pregnancy, n (%)30/196 (15)23/101 (23)
 Reported vaginal infection in pregnancy, n (%)24/191 (13)12/98 (12)
 Attacks of sudden fear or panic‡, n (%)35/195 (18)29/102 (28)*
Socioeconomic status
No high school degree, n (%)
71/194 (37)37/102 (36)
 Receiving Medicaid, n (%)182/197 (92)90/103 (87)
 Hardship last 6 months†, n (%)80/197 (41)48/101 (48)
Prenatal medication
Antibiotics, n (%)
42/195 (22)23/101 (23)
 Ibuprofen, n (%)5/198 (2.5)5/103 (4.9)
 Aspirin, n (%)2/198 (1.0)0/103 (0)
 Acetaminophen Trimester 1, n (%)0/198 (0)43/99 (43)
 Trimester 2, n (%)0/198 (0)46/99 (47)
 Trimester, n (%)0/198 (0)42/99 (42)
Child demographic data
Male, n (%)90/198 (46)54/103 (52)
Ever lived in home with smoker, n (%)93/198 (47)42/103 (41)
Birth order
First born, n (%)
100/198 (51)48/103 (47)
Third or later born, n (%)44/198 (22)26/103 (25)
Ever lived in home with cat, n (%)54/198 (27)24/103 (23)
Domestic mice sightings common§, n (%)50/190 (26)29/102 (28)
Domestic sightings of cockroaches common§, n (%)80/185 (43)47/100 (47)
Drug dealers or users seen on neighbourhood streets, n (%)111/189 (59)63/102 (62)
Neighbourhood gang activity makes it difficult to feel safe¶, n (%)43/189 (23)30/102 (29)
Child ever homeless**, n (%)16/189 (8.5)14/102 (14)
  • *p<0.05 for the difference in the prevalence of demographic characteristics among children with and without prenatal acetaminophen exposure.

  • Mother reported that in the past 6 months she and her family could not afford needed food, rent, clothing or medical care or that gas/electricity was suspended because of bill non-payment.24

  • Report of sudden attacks of fear or panic sometimes, often or very often.

  • § Reported pest sightings more than never or rarely.

  • Reported dangerous activity in the neighbourhood sometimes, often or very often.

  • ** Mother reported she had ever been homeless (slept outside, in a car or in a homeless shelter) since the child was born.