#2-01E. Acetaminophen in Pregnancy and Neurodevelopmental Risk: A Sibling-Controlled Analysis (JAMA, 2024)

Does acetaminophen use during pregnancy increase a child's risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability? This nationwide cohort study in Sweden investigated this critical question by analyzing data from nearly 2.5 million children, including sibling comparisons to control for familial confounding factors12. The study examined the association between prospectively recorded acetaminophen use during pregnancy and subsequent diagnoses of neurodevelopmental disorders13. The most significant finding is that the sibling-control analysis showed no association between maternal acetaminophen use and the risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability in offspring, suggesting that previously observed associations may be attributable to familial confounding45. This provides crucial evidence for clinicians advising on pain and fever management during pregnancy, reinforcing the safety profile of acetaminophen in this context67. However, it is important to note that the study had limitations in assessing the exact dosage, timing, and duration of over-the-counter acetaminophen use, which could not be fully captured8.Citation: Ahlqvist, V. H., et al. Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy and Children’s Risk of Autism, ADHD, and Intellectual Disability. JAMA. 2024. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.3172Disclaimer: This audio summary is based on personal interpretation and does not guarantee the exact content of the original paper. Please refer to the original article for details.