New research published in BMC Environmental Health on August 14, 2025, suggests that paracetamol, a widely used painkiller known as acetaminophen in the US and Tylenol, may pose risks for pregnant women.
The study indicates that children exposed to paracetamol in the womb could have a higher chance of developing neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) like autism or ADHD.
Analyzing 46 studies with data from over 100,000 participants, researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, the University of Washington School of Medicine, and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health used the Navigation Guide Systematic Review methodology.
They found evidence linking prenatal paracetamol exposure to an increased risk of NDDs, though the study stops short of claiming paracetamol directly causes these conditions.
In the UK, the NHS considers paracetamol safe for pregnant women, stating it “does not harm your baby” and is the preferred painkiller during pregnancy.
However, the researchers advocate for cautious use, recommending the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration under medical guidance, tailored to individual risk-benefit assessments.
The study underscores paracetamol’s importance for managing maternal pain and fever, which can also harm fetuses if untreated.
A related February 2025 study in Nature Mental Health similarly linked prenatal acetaminophen exposure to higher ADHD risks. Over 70% of pregnant women use paracetamol for pain or fever relief.
The findings have sparked calls for doctors to reassess paracetamol prescriptions for pregnant women, balancing the risks of untreated conditions against potential neurodevelopmental impacts.
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