Paracetamol In Pregnancy Not Linked To Autism, Research Shows.

Drug.

There is no definitive connection between pregnant women taking the widely used painkiller paracetamol and their children developing autism, according to the most thorough review of current evidence published on Monday. This comes despite repeated assertions to the contrary by former US President Donald Trump.

In September, Trump caused controversy in the medical community by claiming that paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, was linked to an increased risk of autism. He advised pregnant women to “tough it out” instead of taking paracetamol, a remark that health experts warned could discourage women from using a safe pain relief option and potentially deepen stigma around autistic individuals.

The World Health Organisation has stated clearly that there is no strong evidence that paracetamol—the active ingredient in popular medications like Tylenol and Panadol—causes autism.

On Monday, a comprehensive “umbrella” review of all relevant scientific studies was published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). The researchers from the UK concluded that “existing evidence does not show a clear association between in utero exposure to paracetamol and autism or ADHD in children.”

Although some earlier studies suggested a possible link between paracetamol use during pregnancy and autism or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the quality of these studies was generally low or critically low. Many did not adequately account for confounding factors, such as a family history of autism, nor did they explain how paracetamol might cause autism.

The review highlighted the need for more rigorous research and pointed out the long-standing underfunding of women’s health studies.

Several experts praised the new review. Professor Dimitrios Siassakos, an obstetrics and gynaecology expert at University College London, said it “confirms what specialists worldwide have been saying.”

Steven Kapp from the University of Portsmouth, who is both a researcher and a neurodivergent individual with ADHD, added that “autistic and neurodivergent people are more likely to suffer chronic pain and to have neurodivergent children—but paracetamol does not cause neurodivergence.” He emphasised that efforts should focus on improving the lives of neurodivergent people rather than trying to prevent neurodivergence.

Beyond paracetamol, Trump and vaccine sceptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have repeatedly made unproven claims about an “autism epidemic.” However, experts maintain that rising autism rates are due to better diagnosis and increased awareness, not an actual surge in cases.