Study debunks Trump claim that paracetamol causes autism | Autism
A “gold standard” review of the evidence found that taking paracetamol during pregnancy did not increase the chances of a child being autistic, ADHD or intellectually disabled.
The findings refute Donald Trump’s claims last September that the painkiller caused autism, which was condemned by medical, women’s health and scientific organizations around the world.
The US president’s remarks triggered anxiety among pregnant women because paracetamol is the drug that health authorities around the world recommend they use to treat pain such as headaches and fever.
“This systematic review and meta-analysis found no evidence that maternal use of paracetamol during pregnancy increases the risk of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or intellectual disability in children,” says the study published in the journal Lancet Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health.
The research was carried out by a team of seven researchers from across Europe, led by Asma Khalil, professor of obstetrics and maternal fetal medicine at City St George’s, University of London, and consultant obstetrician at St George’s hospital in London.
They say the review of 43 previous studies on the subject constitutes “the most rigorous analysis of the evidence to date.” Papers comparing health outcomes of children born to the same mother included 262,852 people under age 18 evaluated for autism, 335,255 evaluated for ADHD, and 406,681 evaluated for intellectual disability.
Khalil said: “The message is clear: paracetamol remains a safe option during pregnancy when taken as directed. This is important because paracetamol is the first-line medication we recommend to pregnant women who have pain or a fever, and so they should make sure they still have a safe option to relieve themselves of their symptoms.”
Without naming Trump, researchers categorically deny his words. “They hope that this gold standard review will put to rest any doubts regarding the use of paracetamol during pregnancy, as avoiding paracetamol for severe pain or fever can expose both mother and baby to known risks, particularly untreated maternal fever.”
Trump did it his intervention during a press conference at the White House on September 22. Regarding the name of the drug in America, he said: “It is not good to take Tylenol… All pregnant women should talk to their doctors about limiting the use of this drug while pregnant… Do not take Tylenol. It has no disadvantages.”
He said paracetamol during pregnancy is so dangerous that his administration plans to tell doctors in the United States to advise pregnant mothers not to use paracetamol.
However, this new study concluded that Trump’s statements were false. No association has been identified between exposure to paracetamol in the womb and a baby becoming autistic, having ADHD or intellectual disability.
“Familial and genetic factors, including the tendency for autistic traits to run in families, are more plausible explanations for the previously observed associations than any direct effect of paracetamol,” he says.
The authors also raise the possibility that a disorder that causes a woman to take paracetamol regularly during pregnancy may play a further role in affecting the child’s neurodevelopmental status.
“Paracetamol is generally used only intermittently, and its long-term use raises questions about whether the underlying health condition leading to long-term use is more important in shaping neurodevelopmental outcomes than the drug itself,” they say.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting responded to Trump’s claims by advising women in the UK to ignore them. “I would say to people watching: don’t pay any attention to what Donald Trump says about medicine,” he said on ITV the next day.
Experts welcomed the Lancet’s research. “Expecting mothers don’t need the stress of questioning whether the most commonly used headache medication will have far-reaching effects on their child’s health.
Grainne McAlonan, professor of translational neuroscience at King’s College London, said: “While last year’s announcement had a huge impact, I hope the findings of this study will put the matter to rest.”
Dr D., senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Portsmouth. Steven Kapp said: “The implication is that society needs to stop going down rabbit holes of false prevention of developmental disabilities. Instead, we should focus on making the world a better place for people with disabilities.”
Streeting said: “This major review can once again reassure expectant mothers around the world that there is no evidence to link paracetamol use by pregnant women to autism, ADHD or disability in their children.
“Our country’s leading scientists, doctors and the NHS are clear that paracetamol is safe to take when pregnant, in pain or with a fever.”
