Pain: Pregnancy | Paracetamol | Safety

Taking paracetamol while pregnant can hurt your child's development, another study has cautioned. It might prompt neurodevelopmental issues in the child, like ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and autism.

You ought to consult your doctor about taking medication during pregnancy. Other potential risks include lower IQ and infertility, say researchers.

A global group assessed studies on people, animals, and cell lines over the last 26 years. A researcher from the University of Copenhagen stated: "Many suggest paracetamol can alter fetal development."

It is the most common over-the-counter pill taken by pregnant women. Up to two out of three use it to relieve pain or fever. The group said it disrupts hormones similarly to dubious chemicals called phthalates used to make plastic soft and flexible. However, specialists say that the findings do not change recommended use of the medication during pregnancy.

Dr. Sarah Stock, Reader and Consultant in Maternal and Fetal Medicine at the University of Edinburgh Usher Institute, said: "The group has done an excellent job of uniting existing evidence, but unfortunately, much of that evidence isn't strong enough to make any inferences that paracetamol use in pregnancy, particularly occasional use, causes developmental issues in humans."

Paracetamol is effective at reducing pain and fever, and thus continues to be an important medication that pregnant individuals should use if necessary. Obviously, pregnant or not, no one should take a medicine unnecessarily, for more than needed, or at a higher dose than required.

The NHS states that paracetamol is safe to take during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. It notes that most medications taken during pregnancy cross the placenta and reach the baby.

Official guidance states: "Before taking any medication when you're pregnant, including painkillers, check with your pharmacist, midwife, or GP that it's appropriate." Co-author Professor Shanna Swan, of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, said: "It lowers testosterone. It should be considered an endocrine-disrupting compound."

The hormone is crucial for healthy male development. One study found women who took paracetamol were more likely to have given birth to males with undescended testicles, raising the risk of future complications.

The UK watchdog, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, states that paracetamol is one of the few painkillers generally regarded as safe if expectant mothers absolutely need to take it.

Professor Swan said: "There is now a substantial body of evidence suggesting paracetamol disrupts the reproductive development of animals and humans, reducing sperm count and fertility. It acts similarly to a class of chemicals called phthalates, sharing many of the same properties."

There is also evidence that paracetamol reduces fertility in females, said Professor Swan. It is considered the safest painkiller for pregnant women and children, but mounting evidence has linked prenatal exposure to poorer cognitive performance and behavioral issues.

Co-author Dr. Ann Bauer of the University of Massachusetts Lowell said: "Paracetamol in pregnancy increases the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in the child. These include ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, language delays, reduced IQ, and behavioral issues." This is particularly concerning given that a large number of pregnant women take paracetamol—up to 65 percent in the United States.