Major Review Finds No Evidence Linking Paracetamol Use During Pregnancy to Autism

A comprehensive review of scientific studies has found no clear link between pregnant women taking paracetamol and autism or ADHD in their children, despite repeated claims to the contrary by former US President Donald Trump.

The review, published Monday in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), analysed all existing research on the topic. Researchers concluded that “existing evidence does not show a clear link between in utero exposure to paracetamol and autism and ADHD in offspring.”

Trump sparked controversy in September when he suggested that pregnant women should avoid paracetamol — also known as acetaminophen — claiming it increased autism risk. Health experts warned that such statements could deter women from taking a safe, commonly used painkiller, potentially endangering their health while perpetuating stigma against autistic people.

Previous studies had hinted at a possible association between paracetamol and neurodevelopmental disorders, but the BMJ review found these studies were of “low to critically low” quality. Many failed to control for confounding factors, such as family history of autism, and could not explain a plausible mechanism by which paracetamol might cause the condition.

The review also highlighted the historical underinvestment in women’s health research and called for higher-quality studies to ensure safe and evidence-based guidance for expectant mothers.

The World Health Organization has repeatedly emphasised that paracetamol remains one of the safest pain relief options during pregnancy when used appropriately.