University of Liverpool-led BMJ review confirms no clear link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism or ADHD

University of Liverpool-led BMJ review confirms no clear link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism or ADHD

(IN BRIEF) A major review led by the University of Liverpool and published in The BMJ finds no reliable evidence linking paracetamol use during pregnancy with autism or ADHD in children. Evaluating nine systematic reviews comprising 40 studies, researchers determined that previous associations were likely due to shared genetic and environmental influences, not medication effects. The findings reinforce existing medical guidance supporting paracetamol’s use for pain and fever during pregnancy and underscore the need for stronger investment in women’s health research.

(PRESS RELEASE) LIVERPOOL, 10-Nov-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The University of Liverpool has led a major new review published in The BMJ which finds no clear evidence that taking paracetamol (acetaminophen) during pregnancy increases the risk of autism or ADHD in children. Conducted in response to recent concerns about the medication’s safety, the review concludes that the quality of existing research is low to critically low, and that apparent associations reported in previous studies are likely influenced by shared genetic and environmental factors rather than the drug itself.

Led by Professor Shakila Thangaratinam from the University’s Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, the research team conducted an umbrella review of nine systematic reviews covering 40 observational studies on paracetamol use in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental outcomes such as autism and ADHD. While some earlier studies suggested a potential link, only two properly accounted for key factors such as parental health, mental wellbeing, and lifestyle. Once these adjustments were made, the associations disappeared or weakened significantly.

“Through this work, we have shown that based on current evidence, there is no clear link between women taking paracetamol during pregnancy and a diagnosis of autism or ADHD in their children,” said Professor Thangaratinam. “The findings should help healthcare professionals give evidence-based advice to women and reassure mothers about the use of paracetamol during pregnancy if indicated.”

Paracetamol remains the recommended medication for pain and fever during pregnancy and is considered safe by health authorities around the world. However, the authors also note that the lack of robust evidence highlights the ongoing gap in research on medications used during pregnancy.

Professor Louise Kenny, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the University of Liverpool, said: “Current evidence does not demonstrate a clear link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism, but our work also demonstrates how poor the data is around medications in pregnancy. This highlights the wider problem of historic and continuing underinvestment in women’s health research.”

Published under the title “Maternal paracetamol (acetaminophen) use during pregnancy and risk of autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in offspring: umbrella review of systematic reviews” (doi: 10.1136/bmj-2025-088141), the study consolidates all major evidence to date. It concludes that paracetamol remains a safe and appropriate option for treating pain and fever during pregnancy when medically necessary.

Media contacts:

Alison Cornmell
Media Relations Manager – Health and Life Sciences
T: +44 (0) 7771 700680
E: Alison.Cornmell@liverpool.ac.uk

SOURCE: University of Liverpool