If you’ve been pregnant in the past few months, you may have faced a dilemma. You wake up with a fever, a pounding headache or back pain – and then pause. Is it safe to take paracetamol?

That hesitation isn’t surprising. In September last year, the United States government sowed widespread doubt and anxiety by linking paracetamol use in pregnancy to autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD).

But now a major new international study, published today in The Lancet, provides some much-needed clarity.

The research confirms that taking paracetamol – also known as acetaminophen, or by brand names such as Panadol and Tylenol – does not increase a baby’s risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability when used in pregnancy.

Paracetamol remains a safe and effective way to treat fever and pain at any stage of pregnancy.

The researchers carried out a large systematic review and meta-analysis, meaning they didn’t just study one group of people.........

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