Washington, DC — In response to the recent White House press release, AWHONN reaffirms the overall safety of acetaminophen use during pregnancy. Some studies have examined whether prenatal exposure to acetaminophen may be associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and ADHD (Prada et al., 2025; Avella-Garcia et al., 2021). While these studies have found some associations with the use of acetaminophen in pregnancy and subsequent diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders, these studies do not establish a causal relationship and are limited by factors such as reliance on self-reported medication use and potential recall bias. In contrast, numerous well-designed studies support the safety and effectiveness of acetaminophen for managing fever and pain in pregnant individuals and have found no evidence of increased risk for autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders (Ahlqvist et al., 2024; Gustavson et al., 2021).
AWHONN supports ongoing research into the causes of neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and ADHD. Current evidence suggests that these conditions result from complex, multifactorial influences, including both genetic and environmental factors, rather than a single cause (Modabbernia et al., 2017; Matson et al., 2011; Rylaarsdam et al., 2019). Continued research is essential to advance understanding in this area. AWHONN cautions against oversimplified interpretations of the evidence and any suggestion that there is a single cause or cure for neurodevelopmental disorders.
AWHONN reiterates that acetaminophen remains a safe and effective option for treating fever and pain in pregnancy, and we stand with nurses and providers who use shared decision-making to reassure patients of its appropriate use.
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References
Ahlqvist, V. H., Sjöqvist, H., Dalman, C., Karlsson, H., Stephansson, O., Johansson, S., Magnusson, C., Gardner, R. M., & Lee, B. K. (2024). Acetaminophen use during pregnancy and children’s risk of autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability. JAMA, 331(14), 1205–1214. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2024.3172
Avella-García, C. B., Julvez, J., Fortuny, J., Rebordosa, C., García-Esteban, R., Riaño Galán, I., Tardón, A., Andiarena, A., Lertxundi, N., Rodríguez-Dehli, C., González-Palacios, S., Sunyer, J., & INMA Project. (2021). Prenatal and postnatal exposure to acetaminophen in relation to autism spectrum and attention-deficit and hyperactivity symptoms in childhood. European Journal of Epidemiology, 36(10), 993–1004. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10654-021-00754-4
Gustavson, K., Ystrom, E., Ask, H., Torvik, F. A., Hornig, M., Susser, E., Lipkin, W. I., Lupattelli, A., Stoltenberg, C., Magnus, P., Mjaaland, S., Askeland, R. B., Walle, K. M., Bresnahan, M., Nordeng, H., & Reichborn‐Kjennerud, T. (2021). Acetaminophen use during pregnancy and offspring attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – a longitudinal sibling control study. JCPP Advances, 1(2), e12020. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcv2.12020
Matson, J. L., & Kozlowski, A. M. (2011). The increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5(1), 418–425.
Modabbernia, A., Velthorst, E., & Reichenberg, A. (2017). Environmental risk factors for autism: An evidence-based review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Molecular Autism, 8(13). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13229-017-0121-4
Prada, D., Ritz, B., Bauer, A. Z., & Baccarelli, A. A. (2025). Evaluation of the evidence on acetaminophen use and neurodevelopmental disorders using the Navigation Guide methodology. Environmental Health, 24(56). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-025-01208-0
Rylaarsdam, L., & Guemez-Gamboa, A. (2019). Genetic causes and modifiers of autism spectrum disorder. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 13, 385.
Sandin, S., Lichtenstein, P., Kuja-Halkola, R., Larsson, H., Hultman, C. M., & Reichenberg, A. (2014). The familial risk of autism. JAMA, 311(17), 1770–1777.
