Paracetamol Does Not Cause Autism, Confirms New Global Review

There is no link between pregnant women taking paracetamol and autism in their children, despite repeated claims otherwise by US President Donald Trump, according to a new review of the evidence. The Trump administration urged pregnant women to totally avoid paracetamol – also known as Tylenol, claiming that it was causing autism among kids. In September, the US president said women should talk to their doctor about limiting the use of the painkiller while pregnant and followed up with far stronger language, telling women to “fight like hell” to not use it. Even though autism rates have spiked in recent decades, scientists believe the upward trend is driven by greater awareness, improvements in diagnosis, and a substantial broadening of the criteria

doctors use to describe the condition.

What does the study say?

According to the study published in the British Medical Journal, researchers analysed previously published scientific reviews to determine whether paracetamol raised the likelihood of pregnant women having children who are diagnosed with autism or ADHD. The conclusion of research ranged from “low to critically low” - with any apparent link between the painkiller and autism said to be linked to family genetics and other factors. Doctors have repeatedly said that pregnant women must take paracetamol for fever or pain, especially since high fever in pregnancy could be dangerous to the unborn baby. However, other painkillers like ibuprofen are not recommended during pregnancy. The scientists examined nine systematic reviews, which included 40 observational studies into paracetamol use during pregnancy. All of the reviews reported at least a possible association between a to-be mother’s use of paracetamol, but seven urged caution when interpreting the findings because they did not rule out other factors. The World Health Organization has also emphasised that there is no robust evidence showing that paracetamol, which is the main ingredient in massively popular painkillers such as Tylenol and Panadol, causes autism.

What is autism?

Autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, is a developmental condition that affects how a person communicates, interacts socially, and behaves. It is considered a "spectrum" because the characteristics and needs of autistic individuals vary widely, ranging from those with profound impairment to those with superior levels of functioning. Common characteristics include challenges with social-emotional reciprocity, nonverbal communication, and developing and sustaining relationships, along with restricted interests and repetitive behaviours.

Signs and symptoms of autism

Autism characteristics fall into two main groups:

• Difficulties with social communication and interaction that affect how your child socializes
• Restricted and repetitive behaviors, interests, or activities that affect how your child acts

Signs of autism include:

• The child does not follow your gaze or look at things you’re pointing to
• Doesn’t respond to their name
• Seems uninterested in taking-turn games like peek-a-boo
• Doesn’t seek you out to share something they’ve discovered
• Looks away rather than looking you in the eye
• Uses your hand as a tool to pick up things they want
• Prefers to play by themselves
• Has one-sided conversations without back-and-forth talk
• Seems uninterested in starting a conversation