“Don't take it... hold on!”, alerted Donald Trump during a press conference On September 23, 2025, a report was filed concerning the use of paracetamol by pregnant women. The source of the concern was the possibility that this medication could have neurological consequences in the baby, increasing the risk of autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Indeed, several studies have highlighted this correlation, including a meta-analysis published in August 2025 in the BMC Environmental HealthHowever, the WHO insists that this is not the case. no proven causal link.
So, what is the reality? To get a clearer picture, researchers from the University of Liverpool (UK) analyzed all previous studies on the subject. Their article, published on November 10, 2025 in the journal BMJhighlights the methodological flaws of most of them and underlines the involvement of other factors that could explain this increased risk.
A very low level of evidence for studies on the subject
Scientists identified nine systematic reviews (articles that synthesize and evaluate all existing knowledge on a single topic), based on approximately 40 studies published over the past ten years. Most showed an association between paracetamol use by pregnant women and the risk of autism spectrum disorders or attention deficit disorders. However, seven of these reviews cautioned that it was not possible to conclude any causal link.
The researchers then assessed these reviews based on their methodology (as well as that of the included primary studies) to determine whether the level of evidence was high. This was not the case, primarily because most reviews did not account for the risk of bias in the primary studies and all relied mainly on the same primary studies. They therefore concluded that the level of evidence was very low for seven of the reviews and low for the other two.
No proven causal link
A second observation emerging from this analysis is that only one of these reviews included studies that considered familial factors that could bias the results. These studies did not simply measure the risk of developing autism or ADHD after maternal paracetamol use during pregnancy. They also compared the risk within the same family where only one child was affected by this medication. This additional analysis helps determine whether the increased risk is truly caused by the medication (if only the affected child develops the disorder, but not their siblings), or whether this risk is instead due to familial factors (if even unaffected children develop the disorder).
The result of these studies is that the increased risk disappears when these confounding factors are taken into account; that is to say, it is very likely that the cause of the disorder is not paracetamol, but another factor shared by all siblings (which could be a genetic predisposition or exposure to toxins, etc.). “Autism and ADHD are strongly influenced by family factors, so it is important to take these factors into account in studies,” conclude the authors.
Paracetamol remains the best option for treating fever in pregnant women
Even though there is currently no proven causal link between taking paracetamol during pregnancy and risks to the child's health, this possibility cannot be completely ruled out. However, the risk of high fever during pregnancy is well-known and must be addressed. This is why the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (ANSM) recall that this medication can be used by pregnant women, but only " at the lowest effective dose, for the shortest possible duration, and at the lowest possible frequency. On the other hand, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.) must be absolutely avoided, as they can increase the risk of malformation and miscarriage, among other things.
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