When you are pregnant, every medication choice can feel heavy. This large review looked at whether taking NSAIDs like ibuprofen during pregnancy might affect a child's kidney health later.
The researchers combined data from many studies, covering over 4 million people. They found that prenatal NSAID use was associated with an increased risk of kidney disease in children. The strongest link was seen in adjusted results, which try to account for other factors.
The review did not report specific safety events from the NSAIDs themselves. It also notes that the findings show an association, not a proven cause. The authors say more high-quality studies are needed to understand if NSAIDs directly cause this risk or if other factors are involved.
For parents and doctors, this is a reminder to weigh medication choices carefully during pregnancy, but it does not prove NSAIDs are the direct cause of kidney problems in kids.