Acetaminophen — commonly known as paracetamol outside the United States — is a widely used pain reliever in pregnancy. A recent review of existing studies found no clear association between maternal acetaminophen use and a child’s later diagnosis of autism or ADHD, offering cautious reassurance to expectant parents and clinicians.
What the review found
The review examined multiple observational studies that explored whether prenatal exposure to acetaminophen raised the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children. According to the analysis, the aggregated evidence does not demonstrate a definitive, consistent link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and increased rates of autism or ADHD.
Researchers noted that many earlier studies suggesting an association were observational and vulnerable to confounding factors — including maternal health conditions, genetics, and other environmental influences — that can be difficult to disentangle. The review emphasized that, while some individual studies reported small associations, the overall body of research remains inconclusive.
Why prior studies produced mixed results
Observational studies can suggest correlations but cannot prove causation. Factors such as fever, infection, pain, or other conditions that led women to take acetaminophen could themselves be related to developmental outcomes. The review highlighted the need to interpret prior findings cautiously and to account for potential biases and unmeasured variables.
Expert response and caution
Experts quoted in coverage of the review stressed that current evidence does not warrant alarm but does support careful, judicious use of medication in pregnancy. Many health professionals recommend using the lowest effective dose of acetaminophen for the shortest duration necessary and consulting a healthcare provider before taking any medication while pregnant.
Public health guidance has long advised pregnant people to discuss symptom management — including fever and pain — with their clinician, because untreated fever may also carry risks in pregnancy. The review’s authors call for larger, methodologically rigorous studies to clarify any potential risks and to separate the effects of medication from the underlying conditions that prompted its use.
Implications for expectant mothers
For pregnant individuals and families concerned about neurodevelopmental risks, the review provides measured reassurance that there is no clear, proven link between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and child diagnoses of autism or ADHD. However, the findings do not amount to an endorsement of unrestricted use.
Clinicians advise that when acetaminophen is needed — for example, to control high fever or severe pain — it remains an option because of its established safety profile compared with alternatives like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are generally avoided in certain stages of pregnancy. Still, decisions should be individualized and made in consultation with an obstetrician or primary care provider.
What researchers recommend next
The review recommends further research using improved study designs, including prospective cohorts with detailed exposure information, sibling comparison studies, and, where ethical and feasible, randomized trials or mechanistic studies to investigate biological pathways. Better control for confounding variables is essential to reach firmer conclusions.
Read the full report and coverage at The Hill: https://thehill.com/homenews/5599047-no-clear-link-between-acetaminophen-use-during-pregnancy-autism-review/
