BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM

Lately, headlines and social media threads have warned pregnant people to avoid acetaminophen (often known by the brand name Tylenol), implying that using it could increase the risk of autism or ADHD in children. These claims have stirred confusion, worry, and even guilt, often without solid scientific backing.

A new and expansive review from researchers at the University of Liverpool helps clear the air. By analyzing the best available evidence, the team found no credible proof that taking acetaminophen during pregnancy causes autism or ADHD.

The research was published in The BMJ and directly responds to recent debates, warning label proposals, and high‑profile advice urging pregnant people to avoid this common medication. The findings suggest those warnings may have been premature and lacking context.

What the study actually did

This wasn’t a single small study; it was what scientists call an umbrella review, which summarizes multiple existing systematic reviews.

• The researchers examined nine systematic reviews covering 40 observational studies.
• Four of those reviews included meta‑analyses, meaning they combined data from multiple studies to look for broader patterns.
• Each review was assessed for quality, potential bias, and how well it accounted for confounding factors like genetics, parental health, and environmental influences.

In the end, most reviews did not hold up well under closer scrutiny.

Lead researcher Professor Shakila Thangaratinam explains that with higher‑quality analysis, “there is no clear link between women taking paracetamol during pregnancy and a diagnosis of autism or ADHD in their children.”

The reviews ranged dramatically in quality:

• 7 reviews were rated “critically low” confidence
• 2 reviews were rated “low” confidence

Only one review included studies that properly adjusted for the most important factors. And when genetics and family background were taken into account, the supposed association either disappeared entirely or became dramatically weaker.

Why earlier research got it wrong

Much of the past concern grew out of observational studies, in other words, research that identifies correlations but cannot prove cause and effect.

For instance, if a pregnant person takes acetaminophen because they are already dealing with chronic pain, fever, or stress, those underlying conditions may influence child developmental outcomes just as much or more than the medication itself.

In many cases, the studies did not adjust for:

• parental mental health
• genetic predispositions
• socioeconomic factors
• environmental conditions

That’s a recipe for misleading conclusions.

A larger issue: women’s health research remains underfunded

Professor Louise Kenny, one of the study’s senior authors, notes that while this review helps reassure families, it also exposes a bigger systemic problem.

“Current evidence does not demonstrate a clear link … but our work also demonstrates how poor the data is around medications in pregnancy.”

Historically, pregnant people have been excluded from clinical research, leaving huge gaps in our understanding of how common medications affect them. As a result, anxiety often rushes in to fill the research vacuum.

So what should people do?

This study does not say acetaminophen is risk‑free. It does, however, confirm that there is no credible evidence linking it to autism or ADHD.

Healthcare providers continue to recommend acetaminophen as the safest fever‑reducing and pain‑relieving option during pregnancy when used as directed.

If you have questions about any medication during pregnancy:

• Talk to your doctor or midwife
• Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary duration
• Avoid making decisions based solely on social media claims

Given the evidence, mothers and parents deserve reassurance, not alarm.

The bottom line

A major, high‑quality evidence review has confirmed what many medical professionals have long understood: There is no reliable link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism or ADHD.

The study also highlights the urgent need for more robust research in women’s health. So the next time misinformation starts circulating, science, not fear, leads the conversation.

Source study: The BMJ—Maternal paracetamol (acetaminophen) use during pregnancy and risk of autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in offspring: umbrella review of systematic reviews