Taking paracetamol in pregnancy does NOT raise autism or ADHD risk, major study finds
Reassuring new Lancet research finds no link between paracetamol in pregnancy and autism, ADHD or learning disabilities.
A major new review published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women’s Health is offering reassurance to pregnant women after months of anxiety about whether paracetamol is safe to take during pregnancy.
The large-scale analysis, described by experts as the most rigorous to date, found no evidence that taking paracetamol while pregnant increases a child’s risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability.
The findings directly address concerns sparked last year by high-profile claims in the US suggesting a possible link.
Researchers analysed decades of global data and concluded that when paracetamol is used as directed, it remains a safe option for managing pain and fever during pregnancy.
What did the new research find?
The study was led by an international team of researchers from institutions including the University of London and UK NHS hospitals.
They carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of 43 existing studies, focusing only on high-quality research with robust methods.
Crucially, the researchers prioritised sibling comparison studies. This means they compared siblings born to the same mother, where one pregnancy involved paracetamol use and another did not. This approach helps account for shared genetics, family environment and parental factors that can otherwise skew results.
Across these sibling studies, the data included:
- 262,852 children assessed for autism
- 335,255 children assessed for ADHD
- 406,681 children assessed for intellectual disability
When pregnancies involving paracetamol were compared with those that did not, researchers found no increased risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability in children.
Why earlier studies caused confusion
Concerns about paracetamol and neurodevelopment gained traction in September 2025, after claims circulated suggesting the medicine might increase autism risk if taken during pregnancy.
Some earlier studies had reported small associations, but the authors of the new review explain these findings were often based on weaker study designs. Many did not fully account for factors such as maternal illness, fever, family history or genetics, all of which are known to influence child development.
By focusing on sibling comparisons and excluding lower-quality evidence, the researchers concluded that earlier links were likely due to bias or unmeasured confounding, rather than a true causal effect of paracetamol.
Why this matters for pregnant women
Paracetamol is the most commonly recommended painkiller during pregnancy in the UK and is widely used to treat headaches, pain and fever. It is generally considered safer than alternatives such as ibuprofen or opioid painkillers.
Doctors also stress that untreated fever or severe pain during pregnancy can itself pose risks, including preterm birth and other complications. Avoiding paracetamol unnecessarily could therefore do more harm than good.
The findings support existing advice from the NHS, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, all of which continue to recommend paracetamol as the first-line option in pregnancy when used at the lowest effective dose.
Expert voices push back on misinformation
The study also arrives amid ongoing debate in the US, where claims about Tylenol, the US brand name for paracetamol, have been linked to wider misinformation about autism.
Responding to these claims last year, Mel Merritt, Head of Policy and Campaigns at the National Autistic Society, warned about the real-world impact of spreading fear among expectant parents.
Let’s be clear, painkillers do not cause autism and vaccines do not cause autism. Large-scale studies have shown that there is no robust, scientific evidence to support this claim.
She added that such narratives risk frightening pregnant women and devaluing autistic people and their families.
What mums-to-be should take from this
For pregnant women weighing up whether it is safe to take paracetamol, the message from this latest research is clear and reassuring.
Based on the best available evidence, taking paracetamol as advised during pregnancy is not linked to autism, ADHD or intellectual disability. Health experts continue to recommend it as a safe and effective option for pain and fever relief.
If you are ever unsure about medication in pregnancy, it is always best to speak to your GP or midwife, but this study offers strong reassurance at a time when many mums-to-be have been left feeling anxious and confused.
Read more:
Authors
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.