Study: Paracetamol use in pregnancy may increase children’s risk of autism, ADHD

A new study says the use of acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, during pregnancy may increase children’s risk of having neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The study by United States researchers from Mount Sinai Hospital and Harvard’s School of Public Health was published on August 14 in BMC Environmental Health.

The researchers analysed results from 46 previous studies, representing data from over 100,000 participants, that investigated the potential link between prenatal acetaminophen use and subsequent NDDs in children.

They used the navigation guide systematic review methodology, a gold-standard framework for synthesising and evaluating environmental health data.

The guide enabled the researchers to conduct a rigorous, comprehensive analysis that supported evidence of an association between acetaminophen exposure during pregnancy and increased incidence of NDDs.

They noted that while the drug is essential for treating maternal fever and pain, which can also harm children, steps should be taken to limit acetaminophen use.

“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 researchers said.

Diddier Prada, assistant professor of population health science at Mount Sinai Hospital and co-author of the study, said the findings show that higher-quality studies are more likely to show a link between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and increased risks of autism and ADHD.

“Given the widespread use of this medication, even a small increase in risk could have major public health implications,” Prada said.

But he added that women should not suddenly stop taking it.

“Pregnant women should not stop taking medication without consulting their doctors. Untreated pain or fever can also harm the baby,” he said.

“Our study highlights the importance of discussing the safest approach with healthcareproviders and considering non-drug options whenever possible.”