Review finds no link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism or ADHD in children

An international academic team including researchers from the University of Liverpool has published an umbrella review of previously published systematic reviews on whether paracetamol use in pregnancy makes it more likely that pregnant women have children who are diagnosed as autistic or as having ADHD.

The work was fast-tracked following the recent statement from the Trump administration claiming a link between acetaminophen/ Tylenol (paracetamol) use in pregnancy and autism.

The study found that the quality of previous research was ‘low’ or ‘critically low’, and in the single review that appropriately adjusted for family genetics and other environmental factors, the association between paracetamol use and autism/ADHD disappeared.

The researchers concluded that ‘Existing evidence does not clearly link maternal paracetamol use during pregnancy with autism or ADHD in offspring.’

This is further important evidence at a time when misinformation and misunderstanding are still common.

The Autism Alliance will continue to advocate a focus on high-quality evidence in services, policy and practice, so that we can help autistic people to thrive.