The increasing incidence of asthma among children, and the increase in paracetamol exposure, suggested a possible link between the two. Most relevant data concern wheezing episodes in infants rather than asthma.

About 20 epidemiological studies have been published. Due to numerous biases, particularly the possible link between the use of paracetamol and respiratory disorders that preceded the diagnosis of asthma, these studies fail to show that paracetamol exposure in utero or during the first year of life causes persistent asthma. These data do not challenge the known harm-benefit balance of paracetamol during pregnancy and infancy.

Paracetamol remains the analgesic and antipyretic drug of choice in both situations.