Overview
- The peer-reviewed study in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women’s Health concludes prenatal paracetamol does not increase risks of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability.
- Researchers screened 4,147 papers and synthesized 43 studies, prioritizing larger, better-controlled designs such as sibling comparisons.
- Synthesis of family-based and high-quality studies indicates that previously reported associations likely reflect maternal pain, fever or genetic predisposition rather than a drug effect.
- An external psychiatrist, Josep Antoni Ramos-Quiroga, said the findings should reassure clinicians and pregnant women about treating pain and fever during pregnancy.
- The authors note limitations, including the small number of sibling or family-based studies, and contrast their approach with earlier heterogeneous meta-analyses.