A new study confirms that using paracetamol during pregnancy is safe and finds no evidence linking it to increased risks of autism, ADHD, or developmental problems in children, refuting earlier claims made by Donald Trump.
This study, published in the renowned medical journal The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women’s Health and regarded as one of the most comprehensive reviews on the topic, confirms that pregnant women can safely take paracetamol and reassures the public. This counters Donald Trump's unfounded claim last year that paracetamol is harmful for pregnant women and urging them to avoid this painkiller due to alleged links to autism in children.
Trump's statement was heavily criticized by global medical organizations because Tylenol (the U.S. brand name) has long been the first-choice pain and fever reducer for pregnant women.
The latest research reviewed 43 high-quality studies involving hundreds of thousands of pregnant women, focusing on comparing pregnancies where the mother used paracetamol against those where she did not.
Importantly, many of these studies were sibling comparison studies, which help eliminate confounding factors such as genetics or family environment, thus increasing the reliability of the results.
Researchers also tracked child development for over five years to investigate neurological links, finding no association with autism or ADHD.
Professor Asma Khalil, an obstetrician and lead researcher, stated, “After detailed analysis, we found no links and no evidence that paracetamol increases the risk of autism.” She emphasized that the key point is clear: paracetamol remains a safe option for pregnant women when used as directed by a doctor.
At the same time, experts warn that unnecessarily avoiding paracetamol could be harmful to the fetus because untreated high fever or pain may increase risks of miscarriage, premature birth, or developmental problems.
Several independent academics not involved in the study have expressed support for these findings, noting they will help reduce anxiety among pregnant women worldwide.
Professor Grainne McAlonan from King’s College London said pregnant women should not have to bear the stress of worrying whether ordinary painkillers could have long-term effects on their child's health.
Neurology experts from the University of Bergen described the research as strong evidence that paracetamol does not increase the risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disabilities.
Although the findings are clear, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services noted that many experts still express caution, citing some studies that recommend cautious use, especially in high doses or prolonged periods.
However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acknowledges there is no proven causal link between paracetamol and neurological disorders, and it remains the only fever reducer approved for use during pregnancy.
Similarly, health authorities in the United Kingdom reaffirm that paracetamol continues to be the safest pain relief option for pregnant women.
Source:BBC
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