Kenneth Glad
A widely shared warning about a common painkiller used during pregnancy is facing renewed scrutiny, as new findings from Denmark add weight to a growing body of research questioning the claim. The issue has drawn attention across both sides of the Atlantic, highlighting how political messaging and scientific evidence can collide in public health debates.
The controversy stems from statements made by Donald Trump in September, when he warned that paracetamol could pose a “strongly increased risk” of autism if taken during pregnancy, as reported by Le Monde.
That claim circulated widely, but researchers and health experts have increasingly questioned its scientific basis. Danish broadcaster TV 2 reports that a major new study now directly contradicts the warning.
“The majority of the evidence points against a connection,” said Kira Philipsen Prahm of the Kingdom Hospital in Copenhagen.
Her assessment reflects a broader scientific position: While some earlier studies hinted at a possible link, the overall evidence remains inconsistent and often methodologically limited.
What the data shows
The Danish study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, draws on nationwide registry data covering 1.5 million children born between 1997 and 2022.
At first glance, autism diagnoses appeared somewhat higher among children whose mothers had used paracetamol during pregnancy compared with those who had not.
However, researchers determined that the gap was too small to be considered statistically meaningful once underlying factors were accounted for.
“We have conducted several analyses, including a sibling analysis, and none of them find a connection,” Prahm said.
Sibling comparisons are considered particularly robust because they help control for genetic and environmental influences shared within families. In this case, even those stricter tests showed no association.
Professor Jon Trærup Andersen of the University of Copenhagen described the research to TV 2 as “methodologically well conducted,” noting that its conclusions align with similar high-quality studies.
He added an important caveat: The dataset only captures prescription use. Because most paracetamol is purchased over the counter and not recorded, the study may not fully reflect total consumption patterns, though prescription users are likely to represent higher-dose cases.
Science and interpretation
The Danish findings are consistent with broader international reviews. Analyses published in journals such as The Lancet and The British Medical Journal have not established a causal link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and conditions like autism or ADHD.
“There are two things that Trump fails to mention. He completely ignores the half of the studies that show no connection. And he cannot explain how the pills could cause autism,” said researcher David Møbjerg Kristensen according to TV 2.
Researchers stress that observing a statistical association does not prove cause and effect. Without a clear biological mechanism, such links remain speculative.
Despite ongoing debate, Danish health guidance has not changed. Pregnant women are still advised to use paracetamol only when necessary, at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest possible time.
Sources: TV 2, JAMA Pediatrics, The Lancet, The British Medical Journal, Le Monde
