A recent study has debunked claims suggesting a connection between a mother’s use of paracetamol during pregnancy and the development of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability in children. The study, published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women’s Health, analyzed 43 studies and affirmed the safety of paracetamol during pregnancy. Researchers emphasized that the reported associations in previous studies are likely due to other factors like maternal illness or genetic susceptibility, rather than the direct impact of paracetamol.
The research, led by Prof Asma Khalil from St George’s University Hospitals in the UK, highlighted that avoiding paracetamol could expose mothers and fetuses to risks associated with untreated pain and fever, such as miscarriage or preterm birth. Global regulatory bodies like the European Medicines Agency and Health Canada also support the safety of paracetamol during pregnancy, emphasizing its importance as a preferred pain relief option for expectant mothers.
The study’s findings provide reassurance to pregnant women regarding the safety of paracetamol use and challenge previous assertions, including those made by US President Donald Trump, who had discouraged its use. The researchers stressed that the benefits of using paracetamol for pain relief during pregnancy outweigh the risks associated with untreated pain or fever, underscoring its inclusion on the WHO List of Essential Medicines.
