London: Paracetamol has been widely used as the first-line pain relief medication during pregnancy, and new evidence has further strengthened confidence in its safety.
A comprehensive review published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women’s Health has analysed 43 high-quality studies involving hundreds of thousands of pregnancies and has found no association between Paracetamol use and an increased risk of autism, ADHD, or other neurodevelopmental conditions in children.
Paracetamol researchers have stated that this review has relied on some of the strongest available scientific methods, including sibling-comparison studies that help remove genetic and environmental bias. By comparing outcomes within families, scientists have been able to rule out many alternative explanations that had complicated earlier findings.
Paracetamol safety has become a topic of intense public discussion after comments made by US President Donald Trump last year raised concerns among pregnant women. Trump had questioned the drug’s safety and urged women to avoid it, which led to confusion and anxiety across medical communities worldwide.
Health professionals and medical organisations strongly criticised those remarks, emphasising the lack of scientific evidence behind them and warning that discouraging Paracetamol use could pose real risks to maternal and fetal health.
Paracetamol expert Professor Asma Khalil, who led the research, said that the findings clearly show no evidence linking the medication to autism or other developmental conditions. Professor Khalil stated that Paracetamol remains a safe option during pregnancy when taken according to medical guidance.
Paracetamol is particularly important because untreated high fever and severe pain during pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and other complications. Medical professionals have long warned that avoiding appropriate treatment may be more harmful than using Paracetamol responsibly.
Paracetamol reassurance has been welcomed by independent experts who believe the research should put an end to speculation. Professor Grainne McAlonnan of King’s College London said pregnant women should not be burdened with unnecessary fear over a medicine used for basic pain relief.
Professor Ian Douglas of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine described the review as robust and well-conducted, while Professor Jan Haavik of the University of Bergen said it provides strong evidence that Paracetamol does not raise the risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability.
Scientists continue to stress that autism develops through a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors rather than from a single medication exposure.
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