New Delhi: Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, has long been considered the safest pain relief option during pregnancy. However, a new study suggests it may be linked to a higher risk of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), in children.
Used by more than half of all pregnant women globally, acetaminophen is commonly taken to manage headaches, fever, and general aches and pains. Despite its widespread use, researchers are now urging caution.
In a recent review, scientists from the University of Massachusetts and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health examined 46 studies involving data from over 100,000 individuals. Out of these, 27 studies found significant associations between prenatal acetaminophen use and neurodevelopmental disorders in children.
According to lead researcher Dr. Andrea A. Baccarelli, “The majority of the studies reported positive associations of prenatal acetaminophen use with ADHD, ASD, or other neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring.”
Researchers believe the drug’s ability to cross the placental barrier may play a role. Once it enters the foetal environment, acetaminophen could trigger oxidative stress, disrupt hormone function, or cause epigenetic changes, all of which can interfere with brain development.
Previous research has also hinted at this connection. A 2017 study found a higher risk of ADHD in children whose mothers took acetaminophen for more than three weeks during pregnancy. More recently, a February 2025 study suggested that girls exposed to acetaminophen in the womb were more likely to develop ADHD.
While acetaminophen is still considered safer than many alternatives, experts are now advising pregnant women to use it cautiously. “There is an urgent need to inform and guide expectant mothers about the possible risks of frequent acetaminophen use,” Dr. Baccarelli added.
He also stressed the importance of further research to understand these risks better and to refine guidelines for safe medication use during pregnancy.