Logo image
Back
Paracetamol (acetaminophen) use in pregnancy and risk of autism and ADHD
Editorial   Peer reviewed

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) use in pregnancy and risk of autism and ADHD

Brian K Lee, Olof Stephansson and Renee M Gardner
BMJ. British medical journal (Clinical research ed.), v 391, r2438
21 Nov 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.r2438
PMID: 41271243
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel

Abstract

Autism
In September 2025, the US president claimed that paracetamol (acetaminophen) use during pregnancy caused autism.1 A linked umbrella review by Sheikh and colleagues (doi:10.1136/bmj-2025-088141)2 on paracetamol use during pregnancy and autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) arrives as a timely and corrective evidence synthesis in a topical area characterized by low quality data and the political elevation of flawed science. Central to the claims made by President Trump was a review by Prada and colleagues.3 Reviews can be invaluable, particularly for readers who might find it challenging to navigate the vast literature on any given topic. As Sheikh and colleagues discuss, however, the review by Prada and colleagues as well as older reviews should not be considered as robust evidence that paracetamol use during pregnancy causes neurodevelopmental disorders.

Metrics

10 Record Views

Details

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

InCites Highlights

Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:

Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
International collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Psychiatry
Logo image