ABUJA, Nigeria – A major study by researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital and Harvard’s School of Public Health warns that acetaminophen (paracetamol) use during pregnancy may increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including autism and ADHD, in children.
Published on August 14 in BMC Environmental Health, the study analysed 46 previous studies covering over 100,000 participants.
Researchers applied the “navigation guide” methodology, a gold-standard framework for assessing environmental health risks.
Findings revealed strong evidence linking prenatal paracetamol exposure to higher rates of NDDs. However, the researchers emphasised cautious use rather than a complete ban.
“We recommend judicious acetaminophen use—the lowest effective dose, shortest duration, under medical guidance,” said lead author Didier Prada, assistant professor of population health science at Mount Sinai.
Prada noted that untreated fever or pain during pregnancy also poses risks to foetal health. “Pregnant women should not stop taking medication without consulting doctors,” he said.
Experts stress that the findings carry significant public health implications given paracetamol’s widespread use globally. The study urges greater awareness, medical consultation, and exploration of non-drug alternatives when possible.
