HEALTH ALERT: World’s most popular painkiller may increase risk of autism and ADHD, Harvard experts warn: ‘This could have major public health implications’

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FROM DAILY MAIL: Pregnant women should only take paracetamol on the advice of a doctor, Harvard scientists have warned—amid fears the common painkiller could raise the risk of autism and ADHD in their children.

Paracetamol—known as acetaminophen and often sold under the brand name Tylenol in the US—is widely used by expectant mothers to treat pain, headaches and fever.

But dozens of studies have already linked it to higher rates of autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Now US researchers from Mount Sinai and Harvard’s School of Public Health say their analysis of more than 100,000 people is the most comprehensive yet—and provides the ‘strongest evidence so far’ of a link.

Researchers recommend mothers-to-be use paracetamol sparingly due to a consistent association with neurodevelopmental disorders, though a direct cause has not been proven.

“Our findings show that higher-quality studies are more likely to show a link between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and increased risks of autism and ADHD,” Dr. Diddier Prada, assistant professor of population health science at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York and co-author of the study, said. “Given the widespread use of this medication, even a small increase in risk could have major public health implications.”

Prada said expecting mothers should consult their doctors before stopping use of the drug, however.

“Untreated pain or fever can also harm the baby,” he said. “Our study highlights the importance of discussing the safest approach with health care providers and considering non-drug options whenever possible.”

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