Is Tylenol in Pregnancy Linked to Autism? What Parents Should Know

If you’re pregnant and have reached for Tylenol (acetaminophen) to treat a headache, pain, or fever, you may have seen headlines linking it to autism or ADHD. That can be frightening. Let’s unpack what the science actually says — and why acetaminophen is still considered safe when used appropriately.

Pregnant woman

Why the Concern?

Over the past decade, several research studies raised questions about whether taking Tylenol during pregnancy could affect brain development in children.

• Some smaller studies found that children exposed to frequent or long-term Tylenol in the womb showed more autism-like symptoms or attention difficulties.

• A U.S. study measuring acetaminophen byproducts in newborn cord blood reported higher rates of autism and ADHD diagnoses among those with the highest exposure levels.

• These findings sparked media attention and understandable worry among parents.

What Those Studies Missed

While important for raising questions, those early studies had limitations:

• Memory-based reporting: Many relied on mothers recalling how often they used Tylenol years earlier.

• Symptoms vs. diagnoses: Several looked at behavior checklists rather than official medical diagnoses.

• Confounding factors: They couldn’t fully separate the effects of acetaminophen from the reasons it was taken (such as fever, infection, or pain).

• Genetics and family: They didn’t always account for genetic risks or shared family environments, both of which strongly influence autism and ADHD.

The Strongest Evidence So Far

In 2024, researchers in Sweden published the largest study yet, including nearly 2.5 million children.

• In simple models, they did see a small association between Tylenol use in pregnancy and autism.

• But when they compared siblings within the same family — where one pregnancy involved Tylenol and another did not — the difference disappeared.

• In other words, once genetics and family factors were accounted for, acetaminophen itself was not linked to autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability.

This type of “sibling comparison” is one of the strongest ways researchers can test whether a medication truly causes an outcome or whether the association is explained by other factors.

What Doctors Recommend

Professional groups, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), continue to support the use of acetaminophen in pregnancy when it’s needed.

The guidance is simple:

• Use the lowest effective dose

• For the shortest necessary time

• Only when medically indicated (fever, significant pain, or headache)

It’s also important to remember: untreated fever in pregnancy can itself be harmful to the baby. In many cases, taking Tylenol is the safer choice.

Bottom Line for Parents

While some early research raised concerns, the best evidence we have today shows that Tylenol does not cause autism. When used as directed, it remains the safest option for pain and fever relief in pregnancy.

If you’re pregnant and wondering about medications, talk with your doctor before starting or stopping any treatment. But rest assured: there is no reason to fear occasional, appropriate use of Tylenol.