Expectant mothers can feel confident taking paracetamol for pain or fever, according to a definitive new scientific analysis that finds no credible link between the medication and autism or ADHD in children.
The research, hailed as a “gold-standard” review, is set to settle a long-running and often anxious public debate.
The comprehensive study, as seen on The BBC and published in a leading medical journal, rigorously examined data from hundreds of thousands of pregnancies. Its most powerful conclusion came from sibling comparison studies, which allowed scientists to rule out the influence of genetic and broader family environmental factors that had clouded earlier, smaller-scale research.
“This is important as paracetamol is the first-line medication we recommend for pregnant women in pain or with a fever,” said Professor Asma Khalil, an expert in maternal fetal medicine at St George’s, University of London. She revealed that untreated high fever or severe pain can itself pose serious risks, including increased chances of miscarriage, premature birth, or other developmental issues for the baby.
The review’s authors systematically excluded lower-quality studies that failed to account for key differences, such as underlying health conditions between women who used the drug and those who did not. This rigorous approach, noted Professor Ian Douglas of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, makes the findings particularly robust.
“The study provides strong evidence that use of paracetamol during pregnancy does not increase the risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability and should effectively put this question to rest,” stated Professor Jan Haavik, a molecular neuroscientist at the University of Bergen.
The findings stand in direct contrast to controversial claims made in recent years, including unfounded warnings from former US President Donald Trump, which were widely criticised by global health bodies. Instead, the review reinforces the established medical consensus that neurodevelopmental conditions like autism arise from a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors, not from this commonly used analgesic.
For pregnant women weighing concerns about medication, experts say this authoritative analysis offers clear and welcome reassurance, affirming current health guidance that the benefits of appropriately managing pain and fever far outweigh any unproven risks.
