Researchers Find No Evidence Linking Paracetamol to Autism or ADHD
According to a new European study paracetamol also know as Tylenol in the America, is safe. Its safe for women to use during pregnancy. This new research was published in The Lancet Obstetrics Gynaecology & women’s health (British Journal) this saturday. The study was conducted after former US President Donald Trump claimed a link between paracetamol use during pregnancy and autism.
Lead author Asma Khalil, a professor of obstetrics and maternal foetal medicine at City St George’s, University of London, said the research aimed to gather the best-quality evidence. The study reviewed existing research to determine whether there is any causal link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability.
“Paracetamol is safe to use in pregnancy,” Khalil said. She added that the key message is reassurance. When used as recommended, the best available evidence does not support a causal link with autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability.
The study comes after Trump urged pregnant women to avoid paracetamol in September. Medical groups both in the US and internationally criticized his comments as lacking scientific evidence. A spokesperson for the US Department of Health and Human Services had said many experts expressed concerns about acetaminophen use during pregnancy.
High-Quality Studies Show No Causal Link
Recent studies on paracetamol use during pregnancy have shown mixed results. A 2024 study in Sweden found no causal link between paracetamol use and neurodevelopmental disorders. In contrast, a 2025 review suggested a possible link but still advised pregnant women to use the drug only when necessary and in low doses.
Paracetamol is currently the only pain reliever considered safe for pregnant women. Doctors already advise pregnant women to use it cautiously. Untreated pain, fever, or inflammation during pregnancy can also pose risks to both mother and baby. Therefore, medical guidance often supports controlled and short-term use of paracetamol.
The European researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. They identified 43 studies and assessed them for quality and bias using a standard tool. The review focused especially on studies that compared siblings. These studies examined children born to the same mother, where one pregnancy involved paracetamol use and the other did not. This approach helps account for shared genetic and environmental factors.
There were only three such sibling comparison studies. However, they were large. They covered more than 260,000 children for autism, about 335,000 for ADHD, and around 405,000 for intellectual disabilities. These studies showed no significant link between paracetamol use and any of the conditions studied.
The results stayed consistent when researchers pooled data from all high-quality studies.
Bias and Confounding Factors in Previous Research
Khalil said that many earlier studies showing a potential link were prone to bias or confounding factors. These studies often did not fully account for family history, genetics, or shared environmental influences. Her team aimed to address these limitations by focusing on high-quality research and sibling comparisons.
Grainne McAlonan, professor of Translational Neuroscience at King’s College London, praised the study. She was not involved in the research. She said she hoped the findings would “bring the matter to a close.”
The study provides reassurance for pregnant women who rely on paracetamol for pain and fever relief. It supports the continued use of paracetamol under medical guidance, while encouraging cautious and limited dosing.
