A comprehensive scientific review has concluded there is no convincing evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy increases the risk of children developing autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Review Prompted by Political Claims
Publication of the research was fast-tracked to provide clear guidance for expectant mothers and healthcare professionals following controversial statements from Donald Trump. The former US president had urged pregnant women to "fight like hell" to avoid the common painkiller, claiming it contributed to rising autism rates.
Speaking at the White House in September, Trump advised women to consult their doctors about limiting paracetamol use during pregnancy, though many scientists attribute increasing autism diagnoses to greater awareness, improved diagnostic methods and broader medical criteria.
Examining the Evidence
Researchers from the University of Liverpool conducted an umbrella review published in the British Medical Journal, analysing nine previously published systematic reviews that covered 40 observational studies. While most reviews noted a possible association between paracetamol and neurodevelopmental conditions, seven urged caution in interpretation as they failed to account for other contributing factors.
Only one review included studies that properly considered family genetics and shared environmental factors. A significant Swedish study involving 2.4 million children initially found marginally higher rates of autism and ADHD in children whose mothers took paracetamol during pregnancy. However, when researchers compared siblings where one was exposed to paracetamol and another wasn't, the apparent link disappeared completely.
Expert Reassurance for Expectant Mothers
Professor Shakila Thangaratinam, a consultant obstetrician and senior author of the review, emphasised: "Women should know that the existing evidence does not really support a link between paracetamol and autism and ADHD."
She added that pregnant women requiring pain or fever relief should feel comfortable taking paracetamol, particularly since high fever during pregnancy can pose dangers to the unborn baby. Alternative painkillers like ibuprofen are generally not recommended during pregnancy.
The findings aim to alleviate potential guilt among mothers who took paracetamol during pregnancy and later had children diagnosed with autism or ADHD. Professor Thangaratinam noted: "There isn't anything in the current evidence that suggests mothers taking paracetamol is actually causing autism and ADHD."
Professor Dimitrios Siassakos, an honorary consultant in obstetrics at University College London, supported these conclusions, describing paracetamol as "the safest medication to use in pregnancy" and highlighting that untreated maternal fever could negatively affect fetal brain development.
