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In a groundbreaking study, researchers have discovered no evidence supporting a causal link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and an increased risk of autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability in children. This comprehensive investigation, the largest of its kind to date, challenges previous assumptions and offers reassuring insights for expectant parents.
Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the study drew on data from over 2.4 million children born in Sweden, including siblings not exposed to the drug before birth. Led by researchers from Drexel’s Dornsife School of Public Health and Karolinska Institutet of Sweden, the study involved meticulous analysis of nationwide cohort data to explore the potential impact of acetaminophen use during pregnancy on neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Acetaminophen, widely known as a pain reliever and fever reducer, is a common ingredient in various medications, including Tylenol and several over-the-counter remedies. Despite its widespread use, concerns have lingered regarding its safety during pregnancy, particularly its potential association with neurodevelopmental disorders.
The study followed each child for up to 26 years after birth, tracking their health outcomes and comparing siblings exposed to acetaminophen in utero with those who were not. This sibling comparison approach allowed researchers to control for familial and environmental factors that might otherwise confound the analysis.
“While previous studies suggested a link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental disorders, our findings indicate otherwise,” stated co-senior author Brian Lee, Ph.D., emphasizing the significance of sibling comparisons in elucidating these complex relationships.
Of the over 2.4 million children studied, approximately 7.5% were exposed to acetaminophen during pregnancy. Contrary to previous concerns, the study found no increased risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability among children exposed to acetaminophen in utero compared to their unexposed siblings.
“This study’s findings provide much-needed reassurance for expectant parents grappling with the decision to use acetaminophen during pregnancy,” remarked co-senior author Renee M. Gardner, Ph.D., from Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet.
While the study sheds light on the safety of acetaminophen during pregnancy, researchers caution that additional factors may contribute to the observed increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Genetic predispositions and other familial characteristics likely play a role, underscoring the need for further research to unravel these complexities.
In light of these findings, expectant parents are advised to consult with their healthcare providers regarding the safety of acetaminophen during pregnancy. While the study offers reassuring insights, it underscores the importance of ongoing research to better understand the factors influencing child health outcomes.
The study, titled “Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy and Children’s Risk of Autism, ADHD, and Intellectual Disability,” published in JAMA, represents a significant step forward in elucidating the relationship between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and neurodevelopmental disorders.
