By Amy Harris
Top U.S. health officials have recently made claims that taking Tylenol or other forms of acetaminophen during pregnancy is not safe. The officials claim that acetaminophen may be linked to autism, ADHD, and other neurological conditions in children. However, there is no evidence linking the medications to these conditions. Many scientists, doctors, and parents find these announcements concerning, confusing, and potentially harmful to mothers.
Acetaminophen is a common medication used to treat mild to moderate pain and reduce fevers, and is sold without a prescription as Tylenol or Paracetamol. The medication works by changing how the body senses pain and by cooling the body. Acetaminophen is the most common over-the-counter medication women take in pregnancy to relieve fever, pain, or discomfort. Studies estimate that more than half (50-65 percent) of women in the U.S. and Europe report taking acetaminophen at least once during pregnancy. Twenty out of every 100 pregnant women take Tylenol in all three trimesters.
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Autism spectrum disorder is a condition related to brain development. It affects how people see others and socialize with them. Having the disorder can make communicating with others difficult in social situations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), autism spectrum disorder describes a diverse group of symptoms and conditions.
The exact cause of autism is not known. There is not one single cause. Research shows that many different factors can increase a person’s chance of having autism. The American Academy of Pediatrics classifies autism risk factors as: 1) environmental, such as exposure to air pollution or lead; 2) biological, such as having older parents; and 3) genetic, meaning that autism runs in families.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health condition. People with ADHD can have a combination of symptoms, including difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. Symptoms can start in childhood, but people may not be diagnosed until adulthood. Like autism, there may be many different factors that can increase a person’s chances of being diagnosed with ADHD. Like autism, ADHD can run in families. Also, environmental factors, such as being exposed to lead paint as a child, can increase someone’s risk for ADHD.
More than 20 years of extensive, large-scale studies have looked for links between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism. However, the studies show no evidence to support a connection between the medication and autism. Dr. Laura Blaisdell, a MaineHealth pediatrician, a board member of the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and public health expert in children’s infectious diseases, observed, “The science on Tylenol has not changed. President Trump, who is neither a scientist nor a physician, has not discovered something new about Tylenol – he simply scared people.”
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the European Union’s European Medicines Agency, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and other medical organizations worldwide all state that acetaminophen is safe for pregnant women to take. They advise pregnant people to talk with their care provider if they have questions or concerns about taking acetaminophen.
Dr. Kathryn Wadland, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Northern Light Mercy Women’s Health in Portland, said that headaches, fever, and pain are essential to treat during pregnancy. Headaches can be a warning sign of a potentially life-threatening blood pressure condition in pregnancy, called preeclampsia. Decades of studies show a connection between high fevers during pregnancy and birth defects. Other research shows a possible relationship between fevers during pregnancy and miscarriage, preterm labor, and having an undersized baby. Pregnant women with headaches, fevers, or other pain should not try to “tough it out.” Research does not show a causal link between acetaminophen use in children and autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability. (Children younger than 12 weeks of age should not be given acetaminophen unless instructed by their pediatrician.)
Despite recent news headlines making claims that are not backed by science, researched evidence says pregnant women and their families still can safely take acetaminophen for headaches, fevers, aches, and pains. As with other medicines in pregnancy, it is always best to check with a pregnancy care provider about symptoms and how to address those symptoms. Medically trained healthcare providers are the best people to ask about how and when to take acetaminophen during pregnancy.
