Prenatal acetaminophen exposure may up odds of ASD, ADHD in children

Prenatal exposure to acetaminophen (known by the brand name Tylenol, or by the generic name paracetamol in most countries) may increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a study by U.S. researchers.

Diddier Prada and colleagues analyzed data from 46 studies including more than 100,000 participants in all. The researchers used an approach called a Navigation GuideSystematic Review, which requires rating each study for bias, strength of evidence, and quality.

“Our findings,” Prada says, “show that higher-quality studies are more likely to show a link between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and increased risks of autism and ADHD.” He adds that because acetaminophen is used by more than half of pregnant women around the world, “even a small increase in risk could have major public health implications.”

While the study does not prove a causal relationship between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental disorders in children, the researchers say that such a relationship is plausible based on the consistency of results in the majority of studies, as well as acetaminophen’s known biological effects on the fetus. “Further,” they say, “a potential causal relationship is consistent with temporal trend —as acetaminophen has become the recommended pain reliever for pregnant mothers, the rates of ADHD and ASD have increased more than 20-fold over the past decades.”

Prada says, “Pregnant women should not stop taking medication without consulting their doctors. Untreated pain or fever can also harm the baby. Our study highlights the importance of discussing the safest approach with health care providers and considering non-drug options whenever possible.”

Citations

“Evaluation of the evidence on acetaminophen use and neurodevelopmental disorders using the Navigation Guide methodology,” Diddier Prada, Beate Ritz, Ann Z. Bauer, and Andrea A. Baccarelli, Environmental Health, August 14, 2025 (free online). Address: Andrea Baccarelli, [email protected].

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“Mount Sinai study supports evidence that prenatal acetaminophen use may be linked to increased risk of autism and ADHD,” news release, Mount Sinai Hospital, August 13, 2025.