A comprehensive scientific review, hailed as the most rigorous analysis to date, has definitively found no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy increases a child's risk of developing autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or intellectual disability. The findings directly counter claims made last year by former US President Donald Trump, which had sparked widespread concern among expectant mothers and health professionals.
The 'Gold Standard' Review
Published in the prestigious journal The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Women's Health, the systematic review and meta-analysis was led by Professor Asma Khalil, a professor of obstetrics and maternal fetal medicine at City, St George's, University of London, and a consultant obstetrician at St George's Hospital. Her team of seven researchers from across Europe scrutinised 43 previous studies on the topic, creating what they describe as "the most rigorous analysis of the evidence to date."
The research included data from hundreds of thousands of children. Specifically, it examined health outcomes for 262,852 under-18s assessed for autism, 335,255 assessed for ADHD, and 406,681 assessed for intellectual disability. Many of the studies compared siblings born to the same mother, a method that helps control for genetic and environmental factors.
"The message is clear: paracetamol remains a safe option during pregnancy when taken as guided," stated Professor Khalil. "This is important as paracetamol is the first-line medication we recommend for pregnant women in pain or with a fever, and so they should feel reassured that they still have a safe option to relieve them of their symptoms."
Refuting Presidential Claims
The study's conclusions serve as a direct rebuttal to remarks made by Donald Trump during a White House press conference on 22 September of last year. Referring to the drug by its common American name, Trump asserted, "Taking Tylenol is not good … All pregnant women should talk to their doctors about limiting the use of this medication while pregnant … Don’t take Tylenol. There’s no downside." He suggested his administration would instruct US doctors to advise pregnant women to avoid it.
These comments were swiftly condemned by medical and scientific organisations globally and caused significant anxiety, given that paracetamol is the primary pain and fever relief medication recommended by health authorities worldwide, including the UK's NHS.
While not naming Trump directly, the Lancet study authors categorically refuted his claims. They expressed hope that their "gold-standard review will put an end to any scepticism" and highlighted that avoiding paracetamol for significant pain or fever "can expose both mother and baby to known risks, particularly untreated maternal fever."
Expert Reassurance and Societal Focus
UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting had previously advised women to ignore Trump's comments, stating, "I would just say to people watching: don’t pay any attention whatsoever to what Donald Trump says about medicine." Responding to the new study, he said, "This major review can, yet again, reassure mothers-to-be everywhere that there is no evidence whatsoever to link the use of paracetamol by pregnant women to autism, ADHD or disabilities in their children."
Independent experts welcomed the clarity provided by the research. Professor Grainne McAlonan of King's College London noted the extensive impact of last year's announcement and expressed hope the new findings "bring the matter to a close." Dr Steven Kapp from the University of Portsmouth suggested the implication is that "society needs to stop going down rabbit holes of seeking false prevention of developmental disabilities. Instead, we should focus on making the world a better place for disabled people."
The study authors also offered alternative explanations for any weak associations found in older, less robust research. They pointed to familial and genetic factors as more plausible causes, and suggested that underlying health conditions which necessitate prolonged paracetamol use might themselves influence neurodevelopment, rather than the medication.
The overarching conclusion from the medical community remains unchanged: paracetamol, used as directed, is a safe and essential treatment for pain and fever during pregnancy, and expectant mothers should follow the guidance of their doctors and the NHS.
