Major Review Finds No Link Between Paracetamol and Autism in Kids

A comprehensive review published in The BMJ on March 11, 2024, has determined that there is no substantial evidence linking the use of paracetamol during pregnancy to an increased risk of autism or ADHD in children. This finding comes in the wake of controversial remarks made by former US President Donald Trump in September 2023, when he cautioned pregnant women to avoid the common painkiller, claiming it could lead to autism.

The review, conducted by researchers from leading universities and institutions across the United Kingdom, Australia, and Spain, aimed to address the ongoing debate over the safety of paracetamol during pregnancy. Shakila Thangaratinam, a professor of women’s health at the University of Liverpool and one of the authors, emphasized the objective of the research: “We wanted to do a review of all the reviews in the space to make sense of what the evidence is so far.”

Researchers examined nine existing systematic reviews on the subject to evaluate the overall quality and scientific validity of the claims regarding paracetamol’s potential link to autism and ADHD. While all nine reviews suggested a connection, the BMJ analysis revealed significant limitations. Many studies did not account for essential health and lifestyle factors, and several multi-study reviews were deemed to be of poor quality.

Most notably, seven out of the nine reviews advised caution in interpreting their findings due to possible biases and confounding factors that could influence results. The researchers concluded that the confidence in the existing findings is “low to critically low,” indicating that the evidence is not robust enough to establish causation between paracetamol use and these developmental conditions in children.

Exploring Genetic and Environmental Influences

The BMJ review suggests that any apparent relationship between paracetamol use during pregnancy and autism or ADHD may be influenced by various genetic and environmental factors. In studies where these factors were taken into account, the association between paracetamol and the risk of these conditions often diminished or disappeared altogether.

Paracetamol, known as acetaminophen in the United States, is widely recommended for pregnant women to alleviate pain and fever. Following President Trump’s comments, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised updating the labels on paracetamol products to reflect emerging evidence that its use during pregnancy might be associated with an increased risk of neurological conditions such as autism and ADHD.

The review underscores the necessity for more high-quality studies to further clarify the potential impacts of paracetamol on fetal development by considering factors that could skew results. Thangaratinam pointed out that making health policy decisions based on inconclusive evidence can have serious implications, particularly for pregnant women and their families.

“There is a sex and gender gap in science,” she stated. “Studies such as this highlight the need for prioritization and investment in 51 percent of the population, especially during pregnancy.”

As the scientific community continues to evaluate the safety of paracetamol use in pregnancy, this latest review serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of rigorous research to guide health decisions for mothers and their children.