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Current evidence does not link paracetamol use during pregnancy to autism, experts say after a new review of research on the topic.
us president Donald Trump September said there had been a “dramatic increase” in autism cases and that Tylenol – known as paracetamol in the UK – was a potential cause.
He said painkillers should not be taken during pregnancy and advised pregnant women to “just hang in there.”
His comments were criticized by autism activists and scientists in the UK and around the world.
Experts say they hope the latest research will “put an end to the matter”.
Researchers conducted an extensive review of the topic, which has been published in the journal The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynecology and women’s health.
An international team of academics, including UK experts, searched research databases for all studies reporting risk assessments for autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and intellectual disability.
Studies deemed eligible for review compared pregnancies with and without acetaminophen exposure and looked at validated questionnaires or medical records regarding medical outcomes.
They also looked at other conditions the mothers had and other treatments they received.
Some 43 studies were included in systematic reviews (overall evaluations of data) and 17 studies were included in meta-analyses (a research method that systematically combines the results of multiple studies).
Also included are some so-called sibling comparison studies.
The studies compared children born to the same mothers who were given paracetamol in one pregnancy and who were not given paracetamol in another pregnancy.
The authors concluded that exposure to paracetamol during pregnancy was “not associated with risk” of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD or intellectual disability.
“Current evidence does not indicate a clinically important increased risk of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or intellectual disability in children of pregnant women who use acetaminophen as directed,” the authors wrote, “supporting existing recommendations regarding its safety.”
study Lead author Professor Asma Khalil, Consultant Obstetrician and Specialist in Fetal Medicine at St George’s Hospital, London, said: “We found no clinically significant increased risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability in children whose mothers took paracetamol during pregnancy.
“This is an important message to millions of pregnant women – acetaminophen is safe to use during pregnancy.
“It remains our recommended first-line treatment if pregnant women experience pain or fever during pregnancy, and it is also consistent with recommendations or guidelines from various national or international agencies.”
Commenting on the study, Grainne McAlonan, Professor of Translational Neuroscience at King’s College London (KCL), said: “Expecting mothers need not worry about whether the most commonly used drugs to treat headaches will have a profound impact on their child’s health.
“This thorough and clear study addresses this question through a substantial systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis of eligible studies.
“Importantly, it prioritizes sibling design studies to explain family history, which is vital.
“This confirms that there is no link between taking paracetamol during pregnancy and a higher likelihood of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability in the offspring.
“While last year’s announcement was far-reaching, I hope the results of this study will bring closure to the matter.”
minister of health Wes Streeting said: “This major review can once again reassure expectant mothers around the world that there is no evidence linking paracetamol use in pregnancy to autism, ADHD or disability in their children.
“Our country’s leading scientists, doctors and the NHS know that paracetamol is safe to take during pregnancy, pain or fever.”