New Study: Is Paracetamol in Pregnancy Linked to Newborns’ Brain Development Issues?
LONDON, UK – August 15, 2025:A new study from Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine suggests that if moms-to-be use paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen), there might be a higher chance their kids could have brain development issues like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This study is the first to look closely at existing research, and it suggests we might need to rethink how we see paracetamol’s safety during pregnancy.
What the Study Found
The research, published in BMC Environmental Health, looked at 46 studies with over 100,000 people from different countries. It questions the common idea that paracetamol is totally safe for pain and fever when you’re pregnant. The study found that better-quality research was more likely to find a link between using paracetamol during pregnancy and a higher chance of autism and ADHD.
Researchers pointed out some things that might explain this, like how paracetamol can cross into the baby’s system and cause problems that mess with how the baby’s brain grows. Dr. Didier Prada, who led the study, said that while it doesn’t prove anything directly, it makes the evidence stronger and makes us wonder about what we do now in medicine.
Time to Reconsider Medical Advice?
For a long time, paracetamol has been the go-to suggestion for pregnant women dealing with pain or fever. Health groups like the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) have usually said it’s okay at normal doses. But this study and others are making people think we need to be more careful.
The researchers and other experts aren’t saying pregnant women should stop using paracetamol completely, since not treating a high fever or bad pain can also hurt the baby. Instead, they want a more careful approach. They suggest using the smallest dose that works, for the shortest time needed, and always talking to a doctor before taking any medicine. This is important because the study also said that why someone is taking paracetamol (like for a migraine or autoimmune issue) could also be a reason for brain development issues.
What’s Next: More Research and Smarter Choices
The study’s results matter for public health plans, medical advice, and teaching patients. We need more research to make sure these findings are correct and to find safer options for pregnant women. For example, a new study from Sweden’s Karolinska Institute didn’t find a link to brain development problems when looking at siblings. This shows how complex this is and why we need bigger, better studies.
The research also shows it’s important for pregnant women to talk openly with their doctors about the good and bad of any medicine. While using paracetamol might be needed sometimes, this new study suggests we shouldn’t use it without really thinking about it. Experts say the goal is to give women the latest info so they can make the best choices for themselves and their babies.
