Study finds no link between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and autism
- A comprehensive study involving approximately 2.5 million births in Sweden found no link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism diagnoses.
- Health professionals reaffirm the safety of acetaminophen when used at recommended doses during pregnancy, despite claims suggesting a negative link with autism.
- The study helps clarify misconceptions about acetaminophen use, promoting the importance of managing pain and illness during pregnancy. Describing it as important for maternal health, the findings emphasize that untreated conditions could pose risks to both mother and child.
In 2024, researchers in Sweden published a comprehensive study analyzing nearly 2.5 million births, which concluded that there is no significant evidence linking the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy to an increased risk of autism in children. The investigation accounted for various factors that typically influence such outcomes, including health challenges mothers face that might lead to the use of the drug. By examining both the entire population and specifically sibling pairs, where one child was exposed to acetaminophen and the other was not, the researchers found that there was no difference in autism diagnosis rates between the siblings. Despite claims made by former President Donald Trump suggesting a connection between acetaminophen and rising autism diagnoses, health professionals and organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists continue to affirm that acetaminophen remains safe to use during pregnancy at recommended doses. They noted that the decision by the Trump administration to highlight this unsubstantiated claim has led to confusion among patients, with no new research supporting the alleged link. Medical experts emphasize treating illnesses like fever during pregnancy to avoid complications for both mother and child. The topic of acetaminophen use and its possible effects during pregnancy has been a contentious one, especially with varying information being presented to the public. Some previous studies hinted at a potential correlation between the drug and neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Nonetheless, the sibling comparison design adopted in the Swedish study reinforces that the initial patterns observed might stem from additional, confounding factors rather than a direct causal link. Ultimately, this large-scale research lends support to the notion that acetaminophen can be safely recommended to pregnant women, reinforcing the need for balanced discussions about its use while mitigating irrational fears based on unfounded claims.