U.S. health officials warn of a possible link between prenatal paracetamol use and autism
Posted on Sep 22, 2025 / Health
On September 22, 2025, U.S. officials announced new guidance advising caution about using paracetamol during pregnancy, saying recent evidence suggests a possible association with higher risks of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. This move follows a large systematic review led by Mount Sinai and involving Harvard researchers that used the Navigation Guide methodology and found an association between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and increased odds of autism and ADHD. Officials say the drug should be used only when necessary, at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest possible time, while stressing that treating high fever or severe pain in pregnancy remains important for maternal and fetal health. Many researchers and major medical bodies, however, emphasize that association is not causation, point to large studies with null results, and warn against discouraging appropriate use of acetaminophen when clinically indicated. Pregnant people are urged to discuss any medication use with their healthcare provider so treatment decisions can be tailored to individual risks and benefits, and scientists say more well-controlled research is still needed to settle the question.
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