Environ Health

More evidence of potential link between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and risk of autism, ADHD

August 20, 2025

Study details: This systematic review applied the Navigation Guide methodology, a rigorous framework for evaluating environmental health risks, to assess the relationship between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Researchers screened 46 observational studies involving over 100,000 mother–child pairs across multiple countries. Each study was rated for risk of bias, strength of evidence, and methodological quality.

Results: Of the 46 studies, 27 reported significant positive associations between prenatal acetaminophen use and NDDs, including ADHD and autism spectrum disorder; 9 found no association, and 4 suggested protective effects. Higher-quality studies were more likely to report positive associations. Several studies also demonstrated dose–response relationships, with greater risk linked to longer or more frequent use.

Clinical impact: Given acetaminophen’s widespread use during pregnancy, even modest increases in NDD risk could have substantial public health implications. While causality isn’t established, the consistency of findings and biological plausibility support a precautionary approach. Clinicians should counsel pregnant patients to use acetaminophen only when necessary, at the lowest effective dose, and under medical supervision.

Source:

Prada D, et al. (2025, August 14). Environ Health. Evaluation of the evidence on acetaminophen use and neurodevelopmental disorders using the Navigation Guide methodology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40804730/