Paracetamol in Pregnancy Is Safe: New Study Debunks Autism Link Claimed by Trump

Australian scientists have definitively dismissed the claim that the common painkiller paracetamol (known as Tylenol or Panadol) causes autism when taken during pregnancy.

The in-depth umbrella review, published in The BMJ and co-authored by researchers from Monash University and international partners, was conducted in direct response to a statement by US President Donald Trump advising women against taking the drug during pregnancy due to alleged risks of the neurodevelopmental disorder.

The study concluded there is no clear link between maternal paracetamol use during pregnancy and subsequent diagnosis of autism or ADHD in children.

The authors found that confidence in the findings of existing evidence reviews on the topic is “low to critically low.” They suggest that any apparent association seen in previous observational studies is likely due to “shared genetic and environmental factors within families” rather than the drug itself.

Monash University Professor Helena Teede, a co-author, emphasized the importance of high-quality data:

“Science and vaccines have transformed public health… It is important to rely on the best collective evidence to understand the benefits and risks of vaccines. It is also important to continue research…”

Crucially, the review highlighted studies that utilized sibling control analysis (comparing exposed and unexposed siblings within the same family to rule out genetic factors). In those high-quality studies, the marginal risk of autism and ADHD that was initially observed disappeared or significantly reduced after adjustment.

The conclusion for pregnant women remains clear: they should continue to take paracetamol if needed, as untreated pain and fever can pose documented risks to the unborn child.