A major new scientific review has found no evidence linking the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy to neurodevelopmental disorders in children, directly contradicting claims made by the Trump administration last year. The study, published in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet on January 16, 2026, provides strong reassurance for pregnant women and their doctors.
Comprehensive Review Finds No Evidence of Risk
Researchers conducted a systematic analysis of 43 high-quality studies from around the world, examining potential links between the pain reliever—sold under brand names like Tylenol and generic names acetaminophen or paracetamol—and conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The data encompassed hundreds of thousands of participants globally.
The conclusion was clear and consistent: "paracetamol did not increase the risk," stated senior researcher Professor Asma Khalil, a maternal fetal medicine expert at St. George's Hospital in London. The team employed rigorous standards, only including studies with detailed medication records and validated medical outcomes, while excluding research deemed biased or of lower quality.
Contradiction to Recent U.S. Government Advice
This landmark review comes just months after a September announcement from the Trump administration, which linked Kenvue Inc.'s Tylenol to autism and advised pregnant women to avoid it. That guidance caused significant confusion among patients and healthcare providers, as it contradicted decades of established medical practice without presenting new evidence.
The administration's stance was championed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has a history of promoting unproven claims about vaccines and autism. He stated that former President Trump had directed him to investigate the root causes of childhood diseases, including autism, following a report that 1 in 31 8-year-olds were diagnosed with the condition in 2022.
Why Acetaminophen Remains the Recommended Choice
Medical experts emphasize that this new research reinforces current guidelines. Acetaminophen "remains the first line of medication we recommend" for pain or fever in pregnant women, Professor Khalil affirmed. This recommendation is critical because untreated fevers during pregnancy have themselves been linked to developmental issues and even miscarriage.
Other common over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, can pose risks by reducing blood flow to the developing baby. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists continues to endorse acetaminophen as the preferred option for managing pain and fever during pregnancy.
The researchers noted that while their review was comprehensive, more studies focusing on siblings or families could help further clarify the role of genetics in neurodevelopmental disorders. Jan Haavik, a molecular neuroscientist at the University of Bergen who was not involved in the study, echoed this, stating that many other genetic and environmental risk factors warrant exploration.
This scientific clarity follows a 2023 legal decision where a New York judge dismissed a case against Kenvue filed by parents who alleged a link between prenatal Tylenol use and their children's autism or intellectual disabilities. The latest findings from The Lancet provide a robust, evidence-based counterpoint to a debate that has caused undue anxiety for expectant parents.
