Most babies are given medicines for pain or fever, such as paracetamol (Pamol, Paracare) or ibuprofen (Brufen, Nurofen), at some stage in their first year. Paracetamol and ibuprofen are safe and effective at relieving pain and fever in babies, but no-one knows if their use influences the chances of developing asthma or not.
This study will find out if there are different rates of asthma at 6 years of age in children who just take paracetamol when they are unwell in their first 12 months of life, compared to children who just take ibuprofen.
The findings of PIPPA Tamariki will be relevant to all caregivers and health professionals who prescribe or give paracetamol to infants.