Study Finds No Link Between Paracetamol Use During Pregnancy and Autism Risk

Recent research involving nearly 2.5 million children born in Sweden has provided reassuring news regarding the safety of paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen) consumption during pregnancy. Despite claims from former US President Donald Trump suggesting that using this common painkiller may contribute to the rise in autism diagnoses, scientific evidence does not support this connection. The comprehensive study, published in 2024, employed data from Sweden's extensive national health registers, tracking children born between 1995 and 2019 over a period of up to 26 years.

Researchers examined prescription records and prenatal interviews to determine which mothers reported using acetaminophen during pregnancy. About 7.5% of pregnancies involved its use. Importantly, the analysis considered various confounding factors such as maternal health conditions like fever, pain, migraines, or infections—conditions that are often associated both with medication use and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

To further refine the findings, the study used sibling comparisons—an approach that compares children born to the same mother, where in some pregnancies the drug was used and in others it was not. This method effectively controls for genetic and environmental variables. Over 45,000 sibling pairs were analyzed, and results consistently showed no increased risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability linked to acetaminophen use during pregnancy.

Supporting these results, a similar study conducted in Japan, which involved a different population with distinct patterns of medication use (up to 40% of mothers using the drug), also found no evidence of increased neurodevelopmental risk when sibling comparisons were made.

The scientific consensus indicates that while earlier studies may have suggested associations, these were likely confounded by underlying health conditions rather than the medication itself. Conditions prompting acetaminophen use—such as migraines or infections—are genetically linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, which may have led to misleading correlations.

Health authorities including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency continue to recommend acetaminophen as the safest option for managing fever and pain during pregnancy when used appropriately. Untreated fever or persistent illness posed known risks to both mother and baby, making medication use essential at times.

In conclusion, the robust evidence from multiple studies indicates that acetaminophen use during pregnancy does not increase the risk of autism or other neurodevelopmental conditions. Pregnant women should consult healthcare providers regarding pain and fever management, but they can be reassured that moderate use of paracetamol remains safe. Alarmist claims are not supported by the current scientific data and could deter necessary medical treatment during pregnancy.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-paracetamol-pregnancy-linked-autism-million.html