Paracetamol use in pregnancy linked to ADHD, autism symptoms in offspring

A European epidemiological study examining a mother’s use of paracetamol during pregnancy has revealed the potential adverse effects of the drug on offspring.

The study of six European cohorts and over 70,000 children has linked symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum conditions (ASC) to paracetamol (acetaminophen) use during pregnancy. It was estimated that 46%-56% of pregnant women in developed countries use paracetamol at some point while childbearing.

Publishing in the European Journal of Epidemiology, the research team assessed the behaviour of the offspring between the ages of 6 months and 11 years, with memory and IQ tested up until the age of 17. It was found that children with exposure to paracetamol before birth were 19% more likely to develop ASC symptoms and 21% more likely to develop ADHD symptoms than children who were not exposed.

The team stressed that their finds add to a growing body of evidence and reinforces the advice that women should be cautious when taking medication during pregnancy and must seek medical advice where necessary.