Overview
- The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women’s Health published a systematic review of 43 studies, including 17 in meta-analysis, covering hundreds of thousands of pregnancies with no link to autism, ADHD or intellectual disability.
- Sibling-comparison analyses—controlling for shared genetics and family environment—showed no association, indicating earlier signals likely reflected maternal factors such as fever or pain rather than a drug effect.
- Experts and medical bodies reaffirm that acetaminophen remains the recommended first-line option in pregnancy when used as directed, warning that untreated fever or severe pain carries known risks.
- The authors acknowledged limitations, including relatively few sibling-design studies and heterogeneous exposure and outcome measures across the literature.
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services disputed the paper’s methodology and conclusions, while the authors said the work was prompted in part by September 2025 White House warnings against Tylenol use in pregnancy.