Large Study Finds No Autism Risk From Tylenol Use in Pregnancy
Updated
Updated · abcnews.com · Apr 15
Large Study Finds No Autism Risk From Tylenol Use in Pregnancy
50 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · Apr 15
A major Danish study of over 1.5 million children found no link between Tylenol (acetaminophen) use during pregnancy and autism.
Autism was diagnosed in 1.8% of children exposed to Tylenol in utero, compared to 3% of those unexposed, with no increased risk found.
The findings counter recent warnings from US officials and reassure that Tylenol remains a recommended option for pain and fever in pregnancy.
If Tylenol is not the cause, what maternal health issues are linked to autism?
What are the severe risks of using ibuprofen instead of Tylenol during pregnancy?
Will the FDA retract its planned Tylenol warning after this definitive Danish study?
Why did leucovorin prescriptions for autism surge despite a lack of scientific evidence?
How does comparing siblings in large studies isolate medication risks from genetic ones?
How can medical experts rebuild patient trust shaken by official health warnings?
FDA Warning vs. Science: The Truth About Acetaminophen Use in Pregnancy and Autism Risk
Overview
Extensive research, including a landmark 2026 Lancet meta-analysis and large sibling studies from Sweden and Japan, found no evidence that prenatal acetaminophen use increases the risk of autism or ADHD. These high-quality studies addressed earlier flaws like recall bias and confounding factors, leading major medical associations to endorse acetaminophen as the safest option for managing pain and fever during pregnancy. Despite this, a 2025 FDA label change and political claims linking acetaminophen to autism caused a drop in its use and public confusion. Medical experts and international regulators quickly rejected these claims, emphasizing that untreated pain and fever pose greater risks than acetaminophen when used properly under medical guidance.