Links between Tylenol and Autism in children
If you took acetaminophen pain-relieving products while pregnant and your child developed Autism Spectrum Disorder, we can help you get compensation.
In May 2021, a study conducted by researchers in Spain suggested using acetaminophen during pregnancy might increase the risk of having a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Studies have now begun to suggest a significant link between children with autism and acetaminophen usage. Moreover, one finds acetaminophen in over-the-counter pain meds such as Tylenol. Autism is a group of closely related disorders having similar symptoms. In addition, characteristics and symptoms of autism include:
- Delayed language skills
- Delayed movement skills
- Delayed cognitive or learning skills
- Hyperactive, impulsive, and/or inattentive behavior
- Epilepsy or seizure disorder
- Unusual eating and sleeping habits
- Gastrointestinal issues (for example, constipation)
- Unusual mood or emotional reactions
- Anxiety, stress, or excessive worry
- Lack of fear or more fear than expected
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APAP AND AUTISM:
THE EVIDENCE
In May 2021, a study conducted by researchers in Spain suggested using acetaminophen during pregnancy might increase the risk of having a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The authors analyzed medical records involving more than 73,000 mother-child pairs across Europe, finding that kids exposed to acetaminophen in-utero were 19% more likely to be diagnosed with ASD than those who weren’t.
While the findings are not definitive proof of a causal relationship between Tylenol and autism, the authors called for more study of the issue. They also recommended that acetaminophen be used in pregnancy “only when necessary.”
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first study to associate the use of acetaminophen in pregnancy with an increased risk of ASD. In 2018, a metanalysis of seven studies involving 132,178 pairs of mothers and children suggested excessive use of acetaminophen during pregnancy increased a child’s risk of autism by 20%.
Another study involving samples of umbilical blood obtained from 996 mother-child pairs found that children exposed to higher acetaminophen levels were up to 3.62 times more likely to be diagnosed with autism.
APAP AND PREGNANCY: IS IT SAFE?
Almost everyone has APAP (acetaminophen) like Tylenol or another brand in their medicine cabinet. Estimates suggest that up to 70% of pregnant women use some form of acetaminophen during pregnancy.
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has placed acetaminophen in Pregnancy Category B, reserved for drugs that have not shown a fetal risk. However, Pregnancy Category B drugs have not been subject to controlled studies in pregnant women, or they have been shown to have adverse effects (other than a decrease in fertility) in animal reproduction studies that were not confirmed in controlled studies of women in the first trimester of pregnancy.
There are currently no pain relievers included in Pregnancy Risk Category A, which is reserved for medications that have been deemed completely “safe.”
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
ASD currently affects about 1 in 59 children. While the incidence is rising, it’s unclear if this results from increased diagnosis or increased occurrence.
Because people with autism are said to “on the spectrum,” an individual child may exhibit various symptoms that range from mild to severe. Some of the most common ASD symptoms include:
Lack of Social Skills
Children with autism have a hard time interacting with others. Those on the spectrum usually begin exhibiting social symptoms by the time they’re 8 to 10 months old.
Communications Problems
About 40% of kids with autism don’t talk at all. Between 25% and 30% develop some language skills in infancy but lose them later, and others don’t begin talking until later in life.
Patterns of Behavior
Many children with autism behave in ways that seem unusual or have unusual interests.
APAP and Autism: The Evidence
In May 2021, a study conducted by researchers in Spain suggested using acetaminophen during pregnancy might increase the risk of having a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The authors analyzed medical records involving more than 73,000 mother-child pairs across Europe, finding that kids exposed to acetaminophen in-utero were 19% more likely to be diagnosed with ASD than those who weren’t.
While the findings are not definitive proof of a causal relationship between Tylenol and autism, the authors called for more study of the issue. They also recommended that acetaminophen be used in pregnancy “only when necessary.”
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first study to associate the use of acetaminophen in pregnancy with an increased risk of ASD. In 2018, a metanalysis of seven studies involving 132,178 pairs of mothers and children suggested excessive use of acetaminophen during pregnancy increased a child’s risk of autism by 20%.
Another study involving samples of umbilical blood obtained from 996 mother-child pairs found that children exposed to higher acetaminophen levels were up to 3.62 times more likely to be diagnosed with autism.
APAP and Pregnancy: Is it Safe?
Almost everyone has APAP (acetaminophen) like Tylenol or another brand in their medicine cabinet. Estimates suggest that up to 70% of pregnant women use some form of acetaminophen during pregnancy.
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has placed acetaminophen in Pregnancy Category B, reserved for drugs that have not shown a fetal risk. However, Pregnancy Category B drugs have not been subject to controlled studies in pregnant women, or they have been shown to have adverse effects (other than a decrease in fertility) in animal reproduction studies that were not confirmed in controlled studies of women in the first trimester of pregnancy.
There are currently no pain relievers included in Pregnancy Risk Category A, which is reserved for medications that have been deemed completely “safe.”
What to Know About Autism Spectrum Disorder
ASD currently affects about 1 in 59 children. While the incidence is rising, it’s unclear if this results from increased diagnosis or increased occurrence.
Because people with autism are said to “on the spectrum,” an individual child may exhibit various symptoms that range from mild to severe. Some of the most common ASD symptoms include:
Lack of Social Skills
Children with autism have a hard time interacting with others. Those on the spectrum usually begin exhibiting social symptoms by the time they’re 8 to 10 months old.
Communications Problems
About 40% of kids with autism don’t talk at all. Between 25% and 30% develop some language skills in infancy but lose them later, and others don’t begin talking until later in life.
Patterns of Behavior
Many children with autism behave in ways that seem unusual or have unusual interests.
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