Prenatal acetaminophen use was associated with a higher risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, according to research reported by Voice of Urdu. Using a sibling-comparison design, the study found the association in later-born siblings whose mothers used acetaminophen while pregnant, compared with earlier-born siblings who were not exposed in utero.
The findings add to ongoing scrutiny of acetaminophen—commonly sold under brand names such as Tylenol—because it is widely used for pain and fever, including during pregnancy. By comparing siblings within the same family, the research aimed to limit the influence of shared genetic and household factors that can complicate studies of child neurodevelopment; for related pregnancy medication guidance, see Don't let allergies get out of hand during pregnancy.
Researchers reported that prenatal exposure to acetaminophen was linked to an increased risk of ADHD in children.
The analysis used a sibling-comparison approach, evaluating later-born siblings in relation to their earlier-born siblings within the same families.
The association was reported specifically in later-born siblings whose mothers used acetaminophen during pregnancy, compared with siblings who were not exposed in utero.
Acetaminophen is among the most commonly used medications for pain and fever relief, including during pregnancy. Research on possible links between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes such as ADHD has been debated in recent years, in part because many studies can be affected by confounding factors including parental health conditions, genetics, and shared environmental influences.
According to Voice of Urdu, the researchers focused on differences in exposure between siblings to better account for shared characteristics within families. The report describes an elevated ADHD risk among later-born siblings when mothers used acetaminophen during pregnancy, compared with their siblings who were not exposed.
Voice of Urdu reported the study as an observational analysis, meaning it identifies an association rather than proving that acetaminophen causes ADHD. The report underscores the importance of continued research into prenatal medication exposure and child neurodevelopment, particularly using study designs that can better separate medication effects from family-related factors.
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