A landmark study has conclusively debunked claims made by former US President Donald Trump that paracetamol use during pregnancy can cause autism. The comprehensive review, published in the prestigious Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Women’s Health journal, found no evidence to support this concerning assertion.
Led by Professor Asma Khalil, a renowned obstetrician and maternal-fetal medicine specialist at City, University of London, the study examined data from 43 previous studies involving over 1 million children. The researchers found no increased risk of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD or intellectual disability among children whose mothers used paracetamol during pregnancy.
“The message is clear: paracetamol remains a safe option during pregnancy when taken as guided,” Professor Khalil stated. “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.”
The study directly refutes Trump’s controversial comments made in September 2022, where he claimed that “taking Tylenol [the US brand name for paracetamol] is not good” for pregnant women and advised them to avoid the medication. However, the researchers behind this new “gold-standard” review emphasise that avoiding paracetamol for significant pain or fever can actually expose both mother and baby to known risks, particularly untreated maternal fever.
UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting was quick to dismiss Trump’s claims at the time, urging pregnant women to “not pay any attention whatsoever” to the former president’s statements about medicine. This latest study is expected to provide further reassurance to expectant mothers across the country.
“Expectant mothers do not need the stress of questioning whether medicine most commonly used for a headache could have far-reaching effects on their child’s health,” commented Professor Grainne McAlonan, a leading neuroscientist at King’s College London.
Dr. Steven Kapp, a senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Portsmouth, added that “an 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.”
With this comprehensive review firmly debunking the link between paracetamol and neurodevelopmental conditions, pregnant women in the UK can feel confident in using this safe and recommended pain relief medication when needed.