Kennedy's Autism Report

Kennedy's Autism Report: Should UK Mums Worry About Paracetamol During Pregnancy?

Blimey, what a week it's been for expectant mums! The news that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., America's Health Secretary, is set to publish a report linking paracetamol use during pregnancy to autism has sent ripples across the pond. With Tylenol manufacturer Kenvue's shares tumbling over 10% following the Wall Street Journal's revelation, many British women are understandably asking: should I be worried about taking paracetamol whilst pregnant?

Let's be honest - pregnancy is challenging enough without another health scare to fret about. As someone who's followed the UK's medical guidance closely, I reckon it's worth taking a proper look at what this means for British families, especially given our NHS guidelines have long considered paracetamol the go-to pain relief for pregnant women.

What's All This Fuss About Kennedy's Report?

Kennedy's promised September report apparently suggests that paracetamol (known as acetaminophen across the Atlantic) taken during pregnancy might be linked to autism spectrum disorders. The report also points to low folate levels as another potential culprit and suggests folinic acid could help manage autism symptoms.

Rather boldly, Kennedy told President Trump back in April that "by September we will know what has caused the autism epidemic." Trump's response? That something artificial, "meaning a drug or something," must be behind the rising rates. It's quite a claim, considering autism affects roughly one in 100 people in the UK.

But here's the thing - this isn't entirely new territory. Scientists have been investigating potential links between prenatal paracetamol exposure and neurodevelopmental conditions for years, with decidedly mixed results.

The Science: A Right Mixed Bag

Studies Supporting a Link

The most recent study causing a stir was published in BMC Environmental Health in August 2025. Researchers from Mount Sinai analysed 46 studies involving over 100,000 participants and concluded there's likely an association between prenatal paracetamol exposure and increased risk of autism and ADHD.

The study used something called the Navigation Guide methodology - considered the gold standard for reviewing environmental health research. Of the studies examined, 27 showed positive associations with neurodevelopmental disorders, whilst only 9 showed no link.

What's particularly interesting is that higher-quality studies were more likely to show these positive associations. The researchers also found dose-response relationships in several studies, suggesting that longer or more frequent paracetamol use during pregnancy carried greater risk.

The Counterargument: Swedish Sibling Study

However, not all research points in the same direction. A massive Swedish study published in JAMA in 2024 examined 2.48 million children and found no association between prenatal paracetamol use and autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability when comparing siblings within the same family.

This sibling-controlled approach is considered more robust because it naturally controls for genetic, environmental, and socioeconomic factors that might otherwise skew results. The study's lead author noted: "We were able to adjust for things that other people might have missed before."

Interestingly, the Swedish study reported only 7.5% of pregnant women used paracetamol, which seems remarkably low compared to the global average of around 50%. This has led some researchers to question whether exposure was properly captured.

What Do UK Health Authorities Say?

NHS Guidance Remains Unchanged

The NHS website currently states quite clearly: "Paracetamol is the first choice of painkiller if you're pregnant. It's commonly taken during pregnancy and does not harm your baby." The guidance, last reviewed in October 2022, remains firm that paracetamol is safe at recommended doses during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) maintains that paracetamol is safe for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, with no apparent increased risk of major birth defects when used in any trimester.

Updated Pain Management Guidelines

NHS pain management guidelines, updated as recently as May 2025, continue to recommend paracetamol as the first-line analgesic for mild to moderate pain in pregnancy. The guidance emphasises using the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible.

For what it's worth, the British Society for Rheumatology's 2023 guidelines gave paracetamol a GRADE 1B recommendation - meaning it's considered compatible throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding with high confidence in the evidence.

The UK Autism Picture

Understanding the autism landscape in Britain helps put these concerns in context. More than one in 100 people are autistic, with at least 700,000 autistic adults and children across the UK. However, diagnosis waiting times are frankly appalling.

Metric	Figure	Source
Overall prevalence	More than 1 in 100	National Autistic Society
Waiting for assessment (March 2025)	224,382	NHS England
Waiting over 13 weeks	89.9%	NHS England

NHS figures from March 2025 show over 224,000 people waiting for autism assessments, with nearly 90% waiting more than 13 weeks. Some estimates suggest between 150,000 and 500,000 people aged 20-49 in England may be autistic but undiagnosed.

Autism diagnoses have increased dramatically - by 787% between 1998 and 2018. Whether this reflects better recognition, changing diagnostic criteria, or genuine increases in prevalence remains hotly debated.

The Clinical Dilemma: Treating vs Not Treating

Here's where things get properly complicated. Untreated pain and fever during pregnancy aren't exactly harmless. The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine points out that untreated fever, particularly in the first trimester, increases risks of miscarriage, birth defects, and premature birth. Untreated pain can lead to maternal depression, anxiety, and high blood pressure.

Alternative pain relievers like ibuprofen (found in Nurofen) aren't suitable throughout pregnancy. NSAIDs are generally avoided from 20 weeks onwards due to risks of kidney problems and reduced amniotic fluid in babies.

So what's a woman to do when she's got a splitting headache at 25 weeks pregnant? The current medical consensus remains that paracetamol is the safest option available.

Expert Reactions to Kennedy's Claims

Medical professionals on both sides of the Atlantic have been quite vocal about Kennedy's approach. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists stated that acetaminophen "has long been established as a safe pain reliever for pregnant individuals during pregnancy" and suggested that "unfounded challenges to this fact have likely caused confusion and concern."

Dr Alycia Halladay from the Autism Science Foundation was particularly blunt: "It is disingenuous and misleading to boil autism's causes down to one simple thing." She emphasised that hundreds of genes are linked to autism, and any association with paracetamol is "based on limited, conflicting, and inconsistent science."

Criticism of the Timeline

Many researchers have criticised Kennedy's promise to identify autism's cause within months. Autism isn't a single disorder but a complex spectrum of conditions with likely multiple causes. The scientific consensus suggests that autism develops through complex interactions between genetic predisposition and environmental factors, most occurring before birth.

Practical Advice for British Mums-to-Be

Don't Panic, But Do Think

First things first - don't suddenly stop taking paracetamol if you need it. Even the Mount Sinai researchers, who found associations with autism, emphasise that "pregnant women should not stop taking medication without consulting their doctors."

The current evidence, whilst mixed, doesn't justify avoiding paracetamol when you genuinely need pain relief or fever reduction. However, it's worth being thoughtful about usage.

Follow the Golden Rules

• Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time
• Don't exceed the recommended maximum (4g in 24 hours for adults)
• Consider non-drug alternatives first for mild discomfort
• Always consult your midwife or GP before taking any medication
• Never suddenly stop prescribed medications without medical advice

Alternative Approaches

For minor aches and pains, consider trying these first:

1. Rest and relaxation techniques
2. Gentle exercise or pregnancy yoga
3. Warm baths or heat pads for muscle pain
4. Cold compresses for headaches
5. Massage (with a qualified pregnancy massage therapist)

Looking Forward: What's Next?

The debate around paracetamol and autism isn't going away anytime soon. More research is clearly needed, particularly studies that can better control for confounding factors whilst maintaining adequate statistical power.

What's crucial is that any future research maintains scientific rigour rather than rushing to conclusions. Pregnancy is already an anxious time for many women, and health scares based on preliminary or conflicting evidence can cause unnecessary distress.

The medical community will undoubtedly scrutinise Kennedy's report when it's published. Until then, British women can take some comfort in knowing that our medical authorities, having reviewed the same evidence, continue to recommend paracetamol as a safe option during pregnancy.

The Bottom Line

So, should UK mums worry about paracetamol during pregnancy? Based on current evidence and NHS guidance, the answer is: not unduly. Whilst research continues to investigate potential links between prenatal paracetamol exposure and neurodevelopmental conditions, the weight of evidence and expert consensus still supports its safety when used appropriately.

The key is balance. Use paracetamol when you need it, but don't use it unnecessarily. Consider alternatives for minor discomforts, but don't suffer through significant pain or fever that could harm both you and your baby.

Most importantly, maintain open dialogue with your healthcare providers. They're best placed to help you weigh the benefits and risks based on your individual circumstances. After all, every pregnancy is different, and what's right for one woman might not be right for another.

As we await Kennedy's report and further research developments, perhaps the wisest approach is cautious optimism - taking sensible precautions whilst not letting unproven theories overshadow the current medical consensus that has guided safe pregnancies for decades.