New Delhi, Jan 17 (NationPress) A recent study reveals that a mother's consumption of paracetamol during pregnancy does not elevate the likelihood of autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or intellectual disabilities in offspring. This finding contradicts previous assertions made by former US President Donald Trump regarding the widely used pain reliever.

In a White House event last September, Trump urged expectant mothers to “tough it out” instead of using acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol).

Paracetamol, or acetaminophen, is the most frequently utilized analgesic and antipyretic during pregnancy, globally endorsed as a primary choice for pain alleviation and fever management. Its safety profile is generally more favorable compared to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids, making it the preferred option in obstetric care. It is also listed among the WHO's Essential Medicines.

The systematic review and meta-analysis, encompassing 43 studies and published in the journal The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women’s Health, reinforces existing guidelines on the safety of paracetamol in pregnancy.

“This systematic review and meta-analysis found no evidence that maternal paracetamol use during pregnancy increases the risk of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or intellectual disability among children. The null findings remained consistent when analyses were harmonized to studies with longer follow-up, those employing sibling comparisons, and those at low risk of bias,” stated corresponding author Prof Asma Khalil, from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at St George's University Hospitals, UK.

The research team, which included experts from the UK, Italy, and Sweden, clarified that previously noted associations in conventional observational studies likely stem from residual confounding due to maternal illness, fever, genetic predisposition, or environmental influences, rather than a direct causal relationship with paracetamol.

“Avoiding paracetamol may expose mothers and fetuses to the risks associated with untreated pain and fever, including miscarriage, preterm birth, or congenital anomalies,” they pointed out.

Global regulatory bodies such as the European Medicines Agency, the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and Health Canada also endorse the safety profile of paracetamol.