Taking paracetamol while pregnant is safe and there's no evidence it raises the risk of autism, ADHD, and developmental issues in children, say experts behind a major new review. Pregnant women should feel reassured by the findings, which contradict controversial claims from US President Donald Trump last year that paracetamol is no good and pregnant women should fight like hell not to take it.
His views were criticized at the time by medical organizations worldwide. Experts say this latest review, in a Lancet journal, is rigorous and should end the debate over its safety.
But US health officials maintain that many experts have expressed concern over its use during pregnancy.
The US President shocked many doctors worldwide when he and his administration claimed paracetamol - known as acetaminophen in the US - which is seen as the go-to painkiller for pregnant women - could be linked to autism in children, if taken during pregnancy. Those claims led to confusion among women and concern among health experts, prompting this new research.
Published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women's Health, the study looked at 43 of the most robust studies into paracetamol use during pregnancy, involving hundreds of thousands of women. It compared pregnancies where the mother had taken the drug to those where she hadn't. The researchers say the use of high-quality studies of siblings allows them to dismiss other factors, which makes their review gold-standard.
When analyzing the data, they found no links and no evidence that paracetamol increases the risk of autism, said lead study author Professor Asma Khalil. The findings reinforce guidance from major medical organizations in the UK, US, and Europe regarding the safety of the common painkiller.
Meanwhile, medical experts not involved in the research have welcomed the findings, saying it will help reduce worry among women. The research provides strong evidence that use of paracetamol during pregnancy does not increase the risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability. With ongoing debates over medications during pregnancy, this review seeks to clarify and reassure expectant mothers regarding their health choices.
His views were criticized at the time by medical organizations worldwide. Experts say this latest review, in a Lancet journal, is rigorous and should end the debate over its safety.
But US health officials maintain that many experts have expressed concern over its use during pregnancy.
The US President shocked many doctors worldwide when he and his administration claimed paracetamol - known as acetaminophen in the US - which is seen as the go-to painkiller for pregnant women - could be linked to autism in children, if taken during pregnancy. Those claims led to confusion among women and concern among health experts, prompting this new research.
Published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women's Health, the study looked at 43 of the most robust studies into paracetamol use during pregnancy, involving hundreds of thousands of women. It compared pregnancies where the mother had taken the drug to those where she hadn't. The researchers say the use of high-quality studies of siblings allows them to dismiss other factors, which makes their review gold-standard.
When analyzing the data, they found no links and no evidence that paracetamol increases the risk of autism, said lead study author Professor Asma Khalil. The findings reinforce guidance from major medical organizations in the UK, US, and Europe regarding the safety of the common painkiller.
Meanwhile, medical experts not involved in the research have welcomed the findings, saying it will help reduce worry among women. The research provides strong evidence that use of paracetamol during pregnancy does not increase the risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability. With ongoing debates over medications during pregnancy, this review seeks to clarify and reassure expectant mothers regarding their health choices.
