Autism and ADHD in Children Could Be Caused By the Usage of Acetaminophen During Pregnancy

In life, people take some actions seeking relief, not knowing the effect of those actions directly or indirectly...

Autism
June 5, 2025

In life, people take some actions seeking relief, not knowing the effect of those actions directly or indirectly.Such is the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy.Is it true that using acetaminophen during pregnancy causes autism and ADHD in children?Acetaminophen (or paracetamol) is taken by roughly 52 percent of pregnant women and mothers to relieve discomfort.It is considered a safe medication for fever and pain during pregnancy.+3However, studies have shown that continuous use of this painkiller can harm an unborn child.

Studies and Research on the Use of Acetaminophen During Pregnancy

Studies on more than 70,000 children have been done. These studies suggest a link between taking acetaminophen during pregnancy and an increase in the risk of children developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).The study also shows that if women take acetaminophen in the first 32 weeks of pregnancy, it could lead to attention deficit symptoms which might result in autism and ADHD in the child.It has been discovered that male offspring might have an increased risk of developing autism spectrum disorders (ASD).According to University of Barcelona researchers, children who are exposed to acetaminophen before birth were 19% more likely to have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms and 21% more likely to have ADHD symptoms than children whose mothers did not use acetaminophen during pregnancy.No link was found between the administration of paracetamol after birth and the onset of autism spectrum disorder symptoms.

Acetaminophen Autism ADHD

Effects on the Child

According to a recent study, mothers who took acetaminophen near the end of their pregnancy will likely to have a kid with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism.The odds of these developmental abnormalities were more than twice as high among children exposed to acetaminophen near the time of birth. This is according to blood tests taken from the mother and the umbilical cord shortly after birth. A stronger link was seen between acetaminophen exposure and ADHD in children.Acetaminophen usage during pregnancy is connected to ADHD and autism in children in two previous studies.However, those investigations relied solely on the mother's recollections of consuming acetaminophen.

"The use of acetaminophen by mothers is consistently related with an elevated risk of developmental impairments, including ADHD and perhaps [autism]," according to principal study author Dr. Xiaobin Wang.

Acetaminophen Autism ADHD

The Thin Line

Mentorship is one of the career success secrets for autistic professionals that might be overlooked.Mentors assist young professionals in navigating their career paths easily.Mentors can come in form of their parents, teachers, colleagues and healthcare professionals.In your chosen field, you may also seek out successful professionals who would provide the needed advice on how to succeed in that field.It is better to seek out those who are autistic because they would understand the challenges they may come from being an autistic person and provide better advice on how to surmount them.Workplaces can also provide mentors to autistic people who would guide them on how to integrate well into the work environment.The autistic person may seek out personal mentors at work who can guide them.These mentors can provide prototypes on how to become successful and productive professionals.Their success stories can motivate you and challenge you to become successful in your chosen career as well.These mentors are proof that autistic people can live independent lives and become fully integrated into the society.

Children's Behavior Later

As per research's background details, acetaminophen during pregnancy appears to impact brain cells and certain hormone levels, potentially disrupting brain development.Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD grow and develop differently than other kids. Children without autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD symptoms develop at roughly the same rate, in domains like motor, verbal, cognitive, and social skills.Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD symptoms grow at varying speeds in several areas of development.They may have significant delays in verbal, social, and cognitive skills, but their motor skills may be comparable to other children of their age.They may excel at some tasks, such as putting puzzles together or solving computer problems, but they struggle with others, such as communicating and establishing friends.Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD may also learn a difficult skill before an easy one.For example, a child can read big words yet not know what a "b" sounds like. A child may also gain a skill only to lose it later.A youngster may be able to say many words at first but then cease talking completely.

Conclusion

Before actually consuming acetaminophen or eliminating it during pregnancy, discuss the advantages and disadvantages with your doctor.Before taking any prescription or herbal remedies while pregnant, one should visit their doctor. Over-the-counter medications and additives should not be presumed to be completely safe and harmless.According to some scientists, the wide use of acetaminophen during pregnancy should be closely scrutinized since it may cause a spike in the number of instances of ADHD or autism spectrum disorder.Although the prevalence in Western countries is only 5 and 1 percent respectively, they have increased in recent years.Further studies on the possible role of acetaminophen in brain development are necessary, in particular with more precise information on the dose used.

Resources

https://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/news/20191030/acetaminophen-in-pregnancy-might-raise-childrens-odds-of-adhd-autism

https://autismawarenesscentre.com/definition-autism/

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10654-021-00754-4

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-pregnancy-acetaminophen-idUSKBN1X920J

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/using-tylenol-during-pregnancy-associated-with-increased-risk-of-asd-adhd

https://www.caryobgyn.com/acetaminophen-use-in-pregnancy-linked-to-autism-attention-deficit-in-children/

Author
Jennifer Luttman, LPC, ACS

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and owner of Overcomers Counseling. I'm dedicated to helping individuals find strength and healing through life’s challenges. With a deep understanding of mental health and years of professional experience, I specialize in fostering hope and resilience while equipping her clients with tools to thrive. Passionate about empowering others, she creates a safe, supportive space where everyone feels seen, valued, and capable of overcoming obstacles on their path to well-being.

Common Questions about Autism

No items found.