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A major new study published on Friday has found no evidence that using paracetamol during pregnancy increases the risk of autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders in children, contradicting earlier claims made by US President Donald Trump.
The research, published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Women’s Health, concluded that current scientific evidence does not support a clinically significant association between prenatal paracetamol use and autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or intellectual disability.
Researchers conducted a large systematic review and meta-analysis, examining data from 43 studies, of which 17 were included in the meta-analysis.
The studies compared pregnancies where paracetamol was used with those where it was not, relying on medical records and validated questionnaires to assess children’s developmental outcomes.
“Current evidence does not indicate a clinically important increase in the likelihood of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD or intellectual disability in children of pregnant individuals who use paracetamol as directed,” the authors stated, adding that the findings support existing medical guidance on the drug’s safety.
Lead author Professor Asma Khalil said the analysis found no association between paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism. “The message is clear: paracetamol remains a safe option during pregnancy when taken as guided,” she told the BBC.
The study follows public controversy sparked in September, when Donald Trump claimed that the use of Tylenol, the brand name for acetaminophen in the United States, during pregnancy could be linked to a “significantly increased risk of autism.”
The claim was widely rejected by public health authorities and medical experts.
Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is recommended by health authorities worldwide as the first-line treatment for pain and fever during pregnancy, particularly as untreated fever can pose risks to both pregnant individuals and developing fetuses.
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