Taking paracetamol during pregnancy does not increase the risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disabilities among children, a major study has found. The most rigorous review of evidence to date was launched after Donald Trump claimed the drug was potentially driving a “meteoric rise” in cases of autism.
The US President said in September that the painkiller should not be taken during pregnancy, suggesting pregnant women should instead “tough it out”. International researchers led by City St George’s, University of London, analysed data from 43 existing studies involving hundreds of thousands of children.
Studies included in the review compared pregnancies with and without paracetamol-exposure, as well as validated questionnaires or medical records on medical outcomes.
A number of sibling studies — comparing children born to the same mother, who took paracetamol during only one pregnancy — were also included.
The results showed no link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and childhood autism, ADHD or intellectual disability.
Study leader Professor Asma Khalil, an expert in obstetrics and maternal fetal medicine at City St George’s said: “Our findings suggest that previously reported links are likely to be explained by genetic predisposition or other maternal factors such as fever or underlying pain, rather than a direct effect of the paracetamol itself.
“The message is clear — paracetamol remains a safe option during pregnancy when taken as guided.
“This is important as paracetamol is the first-line medication we recommend for pregnant women in pain or with a fever, and so they should feel reassured that they still have a safe option to relieve them of their symptoms.”
Commenting on the study, Grainne McAlonan, professor of translational neuroscience at King’s College London, said: “Expectant mothers do not need the stress of questioning whether medicine most commonly used for a headache could have far-reaching effects on their child’s health.
“This thorough and clear study approached the question by conducting both a substantial systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis of eligible studies.
“While the impact of last year’s announcement has been extensive, I hope the findings of this study bring the matter to a close.”
The findings were published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women’s Health.
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