Key Summary
- No link between paracetamol in pregnancy and autism/ADHD
- Experts say paracetamol is safe and often necessary
- Ibuprofen and codeine carry real risks for babies
Researchers have debunked US president Donald Trump’s claim that consumption of paracetamol – acetaminophen or Tylenol during pregnancy could be a reason for a spike in autism cases.
Examination of nearly nine reviews and 40 related studies has proven paracetamol (Tylenol) harmless for pregnant women and their children.
The US president had urged pregnant women to “fight like hell” if their doctors prescribe them paracetamol.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reaffirmed that there is no link between the drug and autism or Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.
An umbrella review published in the British Medical Journal also concluded that paracetamol’s links to autism and ADHD in children are “low to critically low.”
They stated conditions like these are linked with family genetics and other factors.
They said paracetamol merely eases pain and fever in pregnant patients.
“If pregnant women need to take paracetamol for fever or pain then we would say please do, particularly because high fever in pregnancy could be dangerous to the unborn baby,” explained Professor Shakila Thangaratinam, a consultant obstetrician and senior author on the review at the Liverpool University.
She urged the mothers-to-be to not feel guilty about consuming the drug.
“Paracetamol is the safest medication to use in pregnancy, and has been used by the majority of pregnant women globally for several decades without any impact on autism and ADHD,” confirms Professor Dimitrios Siassakos, a honorary consultant in obstetrics at University College London.
He explained that it is the appropriate way to resolve maternal fever by controlling high temperature and risky foetal outcomes.
Researchers have now confirmed the safety of paracetamol during pregnancy compared with other pain relief drugs like Ibuprofen and codeine.
Post twenty weeks of pregnancy, Ibuprofen impacts the baby’s circulation and amniotic fluid.
Babies can experience issue like withdrawal symptoms, breathing difficulties, etc. via codeine usage as well.
