Taking paracetamol while pregnant is safe and there's no evidence it raises the risk of autism, ADHD and developmental issues in children, say experts behind a major new review.
Pregnant women should feel reassured by the findings, they say, which contradict controversial claims from US President Donald Trump last year that paracetamol is no good and pregnant women should fight like hell not to take it.
His views were criticised at the time by medical organisations worldwide. Experts say this latest review, published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women's Health, is rigorous and should end the debate over its safety.
However, US health officials maintain that many experts have expressed concern over its use during pregnancy.
The review analyzed 43 of the most robust studies into paracetamol use during pregnancy, involving hundreds of thousands of women, particularly comparing pregnancies where the mother took the drug to those where she did not.
The researchers claim that utilizing these high-quality sibling studies allows them to dismiss other influencing factors like genetics or family environments, rendering their review a gold-standard.
The analysis found no links between paracetamol use and autism or ADHD risk, according to lead study author and consultant obstetrician Professor Asma Khalil. The message is clear – paracetamol remains a safe option during pregnancy when taken as directed, she adds.
This reinforces guidance from significant medical organisations regarding the safe use of this common pain relief medicine.
Concerns regarding paracetamol use were accentuated when Trump expressed unproven links to autism in a speech. This raised alarms among health practitioners and led to calls for further investigation on the implications of pain medications during pregnancy.
Despite FDA's communications affirming paracetamol's continued approval for treating fevers, officials advise caution in its usage during pregnancy. Meanwhile, health experts from various institutions have welcomed the new findings, asserting it will help reduce anxieties among expectant mothers.
Overall, the research suggests that any previously reported associations between the drug and neurodevelopmental issues could be attributed to external variables rather than the medication itself.
