Every parent knows the anxiety and stress involved when your child has a fever, and often the administration of the proper dose of acetaminophen can do the trick to lower their temperature and let them sleep more comfortably.

Now, however, researchers think that they have found evidence that regular use of acetaminophen may be linked to an exposure-dependent risk for asthma and eczema in adolescents. In fact, monthly use of the medication may predispose kids to twice the risk when compared to kids who do not take the drug.

Experts arrived at their findings, which were published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, by way of questionnaires that were given to more than 300,000 children between the ages of 13 and 14 years of age. The study spanned over 50 countries and sought to quantify the children's use of acetaminophen in conjunction with the incidence of asthma, eczema, and other allergy symptoms.

What they found was that there was indeed a significant association. For medium users, the risk increased by 43% versus non-users. High users had 2.51 times the risk. Risk for eczema were 31% for medium users and 99% for high users. Medium use was defined as at least once a year, while usage was considered high if the drug was taken at least once a month.

Due to the fact that this was a cross-sectional study, no causal links could be determined, though there is a growing body of evidence to suggest that this link does exist.

Why acetaminophen may be linked to asthma is not completely clear, but there may be a biological basis. This is based on a systemic inflammatory effect the drug may have on the body which increases oxygen stress that results in the depletion of certain metabolic enzymes. This depletion could result in an enhanced allergic response.

Acetaminophen may also affect the immune system in a way that could prolong rhinovirus infections, which are commonly linked to aggravation of asthma symptoms in children.

With this in mind, the authors of the study indicate that if the drug were considered a risk factor and subsequently treated as such, it could have an impact on the incidence of asthma and allergy problems and thereby have public health implications.

Asthma is a chronic lung condition whereby the airways become inflamed and constricted. This can lead to wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and overall difficulty in breathing. Coughing often occurs in the evening or early in the morning.

The condition can affect people of all ages, but often begins during childhood. In this country, it has been estimated that more than 22 million people have asthma, 6 million of which are children.

If you have questions or concerns, speak with your doctor. For more information about asthma, visit the website for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).