The rise in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnoses has sparked a heated debate among health professionals. A new study published in the journal Nature Mental Health suggests that acetaminophen use during pregnancy could be a contributing factor. Acetaminophen, the primary active ingredient in Tylenol, is frequently prescribed to pregnant women for pain relief. An estimated 40% to 60% of pregnant women take Tylenol at some point during their pregnancy, according to recent statistics.
Researchers analyzed blood samples from 307 pregnant women collected between 2006 and 2011. The study revealed that children born to mothers who used acetaminophen during pregnancy had an 18% prevalence of ADHD. In comparison, children whose mothers did not take acetaminophen exhibited a 9% prevalence. The likelihood of an ADHD diagnosis was more than three times higher in children whose mothers had detectable acetaminophen levels in their blood.
In contrast, a large Swedish study found no correlation between acetaminophen use and ADHD, while Norwegian research did identify a link. Notably, daughters were six times more likely to develop ADHD if their mothers took acetaminophen during pregnancy, whereas the effect was less pronounced among sons.
Despite these findings, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) remains cautious. In 2015, the FDA stated that studies on Tylenol's safety during pregnancy were "too limited to make any recommendations."
"Because of this uncertainty, the use of pain medicines during pregnancy should be carefully considered," – FDA statement
"We urge pregnant women to always discuss all medicines with their health care professionals before using them." – FDA statement
Co-author Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana highlighted the need for reevaluation of acetaminophen by the FDA, given that it was approved decades ago. The agency currently recommends that pregnant women seek medical advice before using Tylenol.
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