New Delhi: Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, has traditionally been considered the go-to painkiller during pregnancy. However, a new study suggests it could be linked to neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) in babies, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The research, conducted by teams from the universities of Massachusetts and Harvard, analysed 46 studies with data from over 100,000 people. Of these, 27 studies found significant associations between prenatal acetaminophen use and the development of NDDs in children.

“The majority of the studies reported positive associations of prenatal acetaminophen use with ADHD, ASD, or NDDs in offspring,” said Andrea A. Baccarelli, corresponding author and researcher at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

The study points out that acetaminophen, the most frequently used over-the-counter medication by pregnant women—taken by more than half of pregnant women worldwide for ailments like headaches, pain, or fever—crosses the placental barrier. Researchers explained it may trigger oxidative stress, disrupt hormones, and cause epigenetic changes that interfere with foetal brain development, which could account for the observed links.

Supporting evidence also comes from previous literature. Notably, a 2017 study found a higher risk of ADHD among mothers who used acetaminophen for 22 to 28 days, and a more recent study released in February highlighted an increased odds for ADHD in girls exposed to the drug prenatally.

Although acetaminophen is favoured for its relatively safer profile compared to other options, the study underscores the importance of cautious use, especially given the possible implications for foetal neurodevelopment. “Appropriate and immediate steps should be taken to advise pregnant women to limit acetaminophen consumption to protect their offspring’s neurodevelopment,” Baccarelli said, also calling for more research to better understand the risks.

With inputs from IANS