A major U.S. study suggests paracetamol use during pregnancy may raise children’s risk of autism and ADHD, though experts advise careful, not total, avoidance.
A new study has suggested that acetaminophen, commonly known as paracetamol, when used during pregnancy, may increase children’s risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The research, conducted by scientists from Mount Sinai Hospital and Harvard’s School of Public Health, was published on August 14 in BMC Environmental Health. It analysed 46 studies involving over 100,000 participants to investigate the potential link between prenatal paracetamol exposure and later diagnoses of autism and ADHD.
Using the navigation guide systematic review methodology, the researchers found consistent evidence of an association between the drug’s use and increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. However, they cautioned against panic.
“We recommend judicious acetaminophen use—lowest effective dose, shortest duration—under medical guidance, tailored to individual risk-benefit assessments, rather than a broad limitation,” the study stated.
Diddier Prada, assistant professor at Mount Sinai and co-author, said: “Given the widespread use of this medication, even a small increase in risk could have major public health implications.”