Emerging concerns:

In 2021, a group of doctors and scientists published a consensus statement on the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy. Your concern? Evidence suggesting it may interfere with fetal development. They noted possible persistent effects on the brain, reproductive and urinary systems, and genital development.

Why might this happen? One theory is that acetaminophen acts as a endocrine disruptor—Which means it can alter chemicals and hormones essential for healthy growth.

Some research, particularly studies looking at high or frequent doses, has tentatively linked exposure to problems such as

Acetaminophen and autism: a confusing connection

The topic received great attention in September 2025 after a press conference led by President Trumphighlighting concerns that paracetamol could be linked to autism. Some studies show a correlation between its use during pregnancy and autism, a finding emphasized in a August 2025 review of previous research.

But here's the crucial takeaway:

These concerns mainly come from observational studies (studies that look at people over time), which simply cannot prove that acetaminophen causes these problems.

• The confusion factor: First of all, think about why a pregnant person takes acetaminophen; Often, it is due to a high fever or serious illness. The fever or underlying illness itself could be the trigger for a negative result, not the medication. This is called confusion and it is a big problem in this type of research.

• The counter-evidence: In fact, a recent and very large study involving almost 2.5 million children in Sweden They found no connection between acetaminophen use and autism, and concluded that the previously reported links were likely due to confounding factors.

After the press conference, the FDA weighed in, appropriately emphasizing in a press release and letter to doctors that “a causal relationship has not been established” between acetaminophen and autism and that the studies are inconclusive.

Bottom line: Don't panic, but be thoughtful

If you took acetaminophen during a current or previous pregnancy, don't panic. It is very likely that your baby has not and will not suffer any harmful effects. We need much more definitive investigations.

Currently, the scientific consensus among experts is that the available data do not justify a ban on its use during pregnancy. In fact, there are risks in not taking it. For example, a prolonged high fever can increase the risk of miscarriage or birth defects.

That's why organizations like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) continue to consider acetaminophen acceptably safe and recommend it during pregnancy if necessary.

My sensible steps for pregnant people

Until we know more, here are three common sense steps to protect you and your baby:

Avoid when possible: Treat paracetamol use during pregnancy like any other medication; It should be limited to situations where you really need it. Can you control the discomfort with rest, cold compresses, or other non-medicinal remedies?

Consult your doctor: Always consult your doctor for use, especially if you plan to take it for more than a day or two. They may agree that it is the best option or suggest a different alternative tailored to your specific situation.

Minimize usage: If you need to take it, follow standard best practices for all medications during pregnancy: take it for the shortest time possible and at the lowest effective dose to reduce fetal exposure.