The use of paracetamol during pregnancy is considered safe when taken as recommended, according to a major scientific review conducted by European researchers in the United Kingdom. The findings were published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women’s Health, one of the world’s leading peer-reviewed medical journals, and directly address public concerns raised in the United States following claims made by former President Donald Trump suggesting a possible association between the medication and autism.

Scientific response to political claims

The review was undertaken after remarks made in 2025 by Donald Trump, who advised pregnant women in the United States to avoid paracetamol, also known internationally as acetaminophen. His comments triggered widespread concern among expectant mothers and were criticised by national and international medical organisations for lacking scientific evidence.

In response, a group of European scientists set out to examine the highest-quality data available in order to clarify whether prenatal exposure to paracetamol could be linked to neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and intellectual disability.

Robust evidence from large-scale studies

The research team conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, assessing 43 existing studies using internationally recognised tools to evaluate bias and methodological quality. Particular attention was given to a small number of high-value studies that compared siblings born to the same mother, where paracetamol was used in one pregnancy but not another.

“These studies are especially important because they control for shared genetics and family environment,” explained Professor Asma Khalil, Professor of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine at City St George’s, University of London, and lead author of the review.

Although only three sibling-comparison studies met the strict inclusion criteria, they involved exceptionally large populations — more than 260,000 children assessed for autism, alongside hundreds of thousands evaluated for ADHD and intellectual disabilities.

No evidence of a causal association

After pooling results from the highest-quality studies, the researchers found no statistically significant association between paracetamol use during pregnancy and any of the neurodevelopmental outcomes examined.

“The main message is reassurance,” Professor Khalil stated. “When used according to medical recommendations, the best available evidence does not support a causal link between paracetamol and autism, ADHD or intellectual disability.”

The findings challenge earlier studies that suggested potential risks, many of which, according to the authors, were vulnerable to confounding factors and bias, including unmeasured maternal illness, genetic predisposition and environmental influences.

Clinical guidance remains unchanged

Paracetamol is currently the only painkiller considered safe for use during pregnancy in both the United Kingdom and the United States. Clinicians continue to advise pregnant women to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary duration to manage pain or fever.

Medical experts stress that untreated pain and fever during pregnancy may pose risks to both mother and baby, reinforcing the importance of evidence-based guidance rather than politically driven claims.

Independent expert endorsement

The study has been welcomed by the wider scientific community. Professor Grainne McAlonan, Professor of Translational Neuroscience at King’s College London, who was not involved in the research, praised the work and expressed hope that it would bring clarity to an issue that has caused unnecessary anxiety among expectant parents.

Public health implications

The authors conclude that clear communication grounded in rigorous scientific evidence is essential to maintaining public trust in health recommendations. As misinformation continues to circulate globally, particularly when amplified by political figures, independent research remains critical to safeguarding maternal and child health.