Taking tylenol during pregnancy can cause issues with offspring

Question

The research article Maternal use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and neurobehavioral problems in offspring at 3 years, investigates whether acetaminophen intake during pregnancy is related to behavioral problems assessed in early childhood. PM Based on a prospective U.S. cohort of 2,400+ mother‐child dyads, the authors measure acetaminophen intake during pregnancy and then assess at age 3 via the Child Behavior Checklist. PubMed+1 Acetaminophen is related to increased “attention problems” and increased “sleep problems” according to the Child Behavior Checklist. Moreover, authors controlled for maternal stress as a potential confounder. Findings remained significant even after the control.

Although odds ratios are modest at adjusted odds ratios for attention and sleep‐related issues in some, it's a concern, especially given how common acetaminophen is in the world among pregnant mothers. Furthermore, authors suggest that if acetaminophen is a common drug across populations for mothers, then even a small increase in risk is unjustified for exposure; However, the authors caution that this study is observational and does not support a cause/effect relationship. 

Answer 1

The claim that Acetaminophen (Tylenol) leads to issues in the offspring is false. The use of Acetaminophen during pregnancy has not been linked to autism, ADHD, or other developmental issues in offspring according to a Yale University study. Since the majority of studies on the present linkage are observational, they are unable to demonstrate that Tylenol was the direct cause of the issue. Taking into account family genetics and environment, large, meticulous studies, such as sibling comparisons are a complete indicator of how it is not an elevated risk. Although evaluations concur that the evidence is conflicting, Family Health Center states the reliability of over-the-counter uses of tylenol. There should never be a time where individuals use “Dr. Google” to verify any opinions of medication, as it is a harmful spread of misinformation. If pregnant women have concerns about risks, OBGYN’s should be consulting patients of their necessity of tylenol with circumstances such as a fever, infection, or any initial motivation for using the medication. To put it plainly, if someone is pregnant, the anticipating mother should consult their doctor, take Tylenol just as prescribed, and not freak out because of hyperbolic anxieties regarding one instance. 

https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/what-the-research-says-about-autism-and-tylenol-use-during-pregnancy/

https://www.fhcsd.org/prenatal-care/safe-medications-during-pregnancy/

Answer 2

This claim is false! Taking Tylenol during pregnancy will not cause issues with offspring. In Can Taking Tylenol While Pregnant Hurt The Baby? OB-GYNs Weigh In On Studies & Misinformation it's noted that taking Tylenol during pregnancy is not linked with autism. Tylenol: Does it Cause ADHD and Autism, or Is it Safe During Pregnancy? - Aviva Romm, MD states that " acetaminophen has long been considered generally safe for use during all stages of pregnancy, making it a first-choice pain and fever medication for pregnant women." wile studies have shown us that taking Tylenol extensively can lead to some bad side effects not just in pregnant women. 

I could see how my first source might have some biases. When you go look at their page, they go in great detail on how frustrated they are with the number of false studies out there. With this in mind I still being they are a creditable source they had solid stamens and evidence to back up their claims. 

Answer 3

This claim is false; even in the article linked, it only says that there could be an association, but that there are confounding variables like parental stress. According to an article by Every Stage Health, a reliable and reputable source, "research shows that acetaminophen continues to be safe for a woman and her fetus when used correctly."  https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/ask-acog/is-it-safe-to-take-acetaminophen-during-pregnancy

Taking a medication as directed and talking to a doctor, especially during pregnancy, is always important; however, when used correctly, there is no need to worry about issues with offspring.

An article by UC Health says that it is actually recommended to take Tylenol when needed during pregnancy and that there should be no worry about the offspring's being. Supported by many reputable sources: "Among those who share Baverman's opinion that Tylenol use during pregnancy does not cause autism are the College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and the national medication safety authorities of the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Australia." https://www.uchealth.org/today/does-taking-tylenol-during-pregnancy-cause-autism-the-evidence-says-no/

So this claim is false

Answer 4

“In understanding the current debate, it’s important to note the language used in research. Some studies that analyzed medical records and interviewed mothers about their medication use during pregnancy found that taking Tylenol was “associated" or "correlated" with an increased risk of having children with autism or ADHD. An association This means the trends show a similar pattern, not that one causes the other (also known as a causal relationship). Meanwhile, many larger, more thorough studies have not found an association.” -(Columbia Doctors, October 1, 2025 )

There have been many claims over the last couple months that ingesting tylenol while pregnant can lead to issues with the offspring. Many of these claims have focused on how acetaminophen, a chemical commonly found in tylenol, is linked to neurological issues in developing children. However these claims are false, or at least not proven. While reading the article linked to the original claim its hard to find a solid conclusion, saying that there is some link between children's behavior and acetaminophen, but that there are other possibilities of what the chemical is actually linked to. It offers the idea that the chemical is actually linked to prenatal stress, which in turn causes some of these neurological differences. Posted September 22, 2025, the FDA says, “It is important to note that while an association between acetaminophen and neurological conditions has been described in many studies, a causal relationship has not been established and there are contrary studies in the scientific literature. It is also noted that acetaminophen is the only over-the-counter drug approved for use to treat fevers during pregnancy, and high fevers in pregnant women can pose a risk to their children.” studies are being done trying to prove and disprove the link between the chemical and children developing neurological effects. Though many studies have been done there is no solid link between the two and there is much more research to be done, to truly know the impacts of tylenol on a developing child.

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-responds-evidence-possible-association-between-autism-and-acetaminophen-use-during-pregnancy

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9518858/

https://www.columbiadoctors.org/news/what-science-says-about-tylenol-and-autism