The Millions Trust pregnancy pill faces new alarming questions about children’s brain health

Scientists warn that one of the most reliable pain relievers used during pregnancy may not be as sure as they are said.

A radical review of studies reveals that the links between prenatal exposure to acetaminophen and higher risks of autism and ADHD in children. The drug crosses the placenta and can interfere with the development of the brain, which raises urgent questions about clinical guidelines.

Acetaminophen in pregnancy linked to neurodevelopmental risks

Scientists of the Icahn Sinai Sinai Medicine School report that children exposed to acetaminophen before birth can deal with a greater chance of developing neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism spectrum disorder and attention / hyperactivity deficit disorder (ADHD). Their results, published in BMC Environmental HealthMark the first time that the methodology of the navigation guide has been applied to depth the quality and reliability of research on this subject.

Acetaminophen (commonly sold as Tylenol® in the United States and Canada, and known as paracetamol elsewhere) is the most used prescription treatment for pain and fever during pregnancy, taken by more than half of pregnant women worldwide. For decades, it has been considered the safest option for the relief of headache, fever and general pain. However, the examination of the Mount Sinai team on 46 studies, which involved more than 100,000 participants from several countries together, questions this long -standing belief and highlights the importance of prudence and the additional investigation.

Standard review methodology in applied gold

The research team relied on the Systematic Review navigation guide, a leading environmental health framework. This method allows scientists to systematically assess each study, to note the potential sources of bias such as incomplete data or selective relationships, while weighing the overall force and the consistency of evidence.

“Our results show that better quality studies are more likely to show a link between prenatal exposure to acetaminophen and increased risks of autism and ADHD,” said Didder Prada, MD, PHD, assistant professor of health and population policy, and environmental medicine and climate sciences, at the Icahn School of Medicine in Mount Sinai. “Given the widespread use of this drug, even a low increase in risk could have significant implications on public health.”

Possible biological mechanisms behind the link

The document also explores the biological mechanisms that could explain the association between the use of acetaminophen and these disorders. Acetaminophen is known to cross the placental barrier and can trigger oxidative stress, disturb hormones and cause epigenetic changes that interfere with the development of the fetal brain.

Although the study does not show that acetaminophen directly causes neurodevelopmental disorders, the results of the research team strengthen evidence of a connection and raise concerns about current clinical practices.

Call updates and safer alternatives

Researchers call for prudent and limited use in the time of acetaminophen during pregnancy under medical supervision; Updated clinical guidelines to better balance advantages and risks; And more in -depth research to confirm these results and identify safer alternatives to manage pain and fever in pregnant mothers.

“Pregnant women should not stop taking medication without consulting their doctors,” said Dr. Prada. “Untreated pain or fever can also harm the baby. Our study highlights the importance of discussing the safest approach with health care providers and considering non-drug options whenever possible. ”

The increase in autism and ADHD levels adds emergency

Autism and ADHD diagnoses increasing in the world, these results have important implications for public health policy, clinical guidelines and patient education. The study also highlights the urgent need for pharmaceutical innovation in order to provide safer alternatives to pregnant women.

Reference: “Evaluation of evidence on the use of acetaminophen and neurodevelopmental disorders using the methodology of the navigation guide” by Didder Prada, Beate Ritz, Ann Z. Bauer and Andrea A. Baccarelli, August 14, 2025, Environmental health.
Two: 10.1186 / S12940-025-01208-0

The study was carried out in collaboration with the University of California in Los Angeles; University of Massachusetts Lowell; And Harvard Th Cha Chan School of Public Health.

The financing of this study was provided by the National Cancer Institute (U54CA267776), the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (R35ES031688) and the National Institute of Aging (U01AG088684).

Important: These results indicate a correlation, not proof of permanent causation. The medical community remains divided and additional research is necessary. Always find advice on your healthcare professional before modifying or stopping any treatment.

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