Paracetamol Safe in Pregnancy, Lancet Study Confirms

Pregnant women worried about taking pain medication can finally breathe easier. A comprehensive new study published in The Lancet confirms that paracetamol is completely safe during pregnancy and doesn't increase the risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disabilities in children.

The research, led by scientists at City St George's, University of London, analyzed 43 studies covering more than 400,000 children. This is the most rigorous examination of the evidence to date, using what researchers call a "gold standard" approach.

The confusion started when earlier studies suggested a possible link between paracetamol and autism. Those claims gained attention last year after being mentioned in public statements. But those older studies had serious flaws, failing to account for genetics and other family factors that could explain the results.

This new research took a smarter approach. Scientists compared siblings born to the same mother where paracetamol was used in one pregnancy but not another. This sibling comparison method controls for shared genetics, family environment, and parental characteristics that previous studies missed.

The results were clear across the board. Among 262,852 children assessed for autism, 335,255 for ADHD, and 406,681 for intellectual disability, paracetamol exposure made no difference. The apparent links in older studies were likely caused by the underlying conditions being treated, like fever or pain, rather than the medication itself.

Professor Asma Khalil, who led the research, emphasized the importance of these findings. "The message is clear: paracetamol remains a safe option during pregnancy when taken as guided," she explained. Women should feel reassured they have a safe way to relieve symptoms when they need it.

Why This Inspires

This study represents years of careful scientific work to answer a question that was causing real anxiety for millions of pregnant women worldwide. When social media amplified the paracetamol scare, expectant mothers faced an impossible choice: endure pain and fever that could harm them and their babies, or take medication they feared might affect their child's development.

Dr. Sanjay Gupte, former president of India's Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists, saw this fear firsthand. "Some pregnant patients of mine who had taken paracetamol to sort out pain and fever had become extremely worried," he recalled. Now he can tell them definitively: taken in proper doses, there's no cause for concern.

The researchers point out that avoiding paracetamol for significant pain or fever actually creates known risks for both mother and baby. Untreated fever during pregnancy, for instance, poses real dangers that far outweigh theoretical concerns about medication.

This gold standard review aligns with recommendations from major medical organizations worldwide and gives healthcare providers solid evidence to reassure their patients. Science has done what it does best: carefully examined the evidence, corrected misinformation, and provided clarity where fear had taken root.

Pregnant women now have one less thing to worry about during an already challenging time.