-

ACETAMINOPHEN AND AUTISM: WHAT'S THE LINK?






A central review by Harvard scientists has found that taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) during pregnancy could be linked to a higher risk of autism and ADHD in children. Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a developmental condition that affects how a person thinks, communicates, and interacts with others. It often leads to differences in social behavior, communication, and can come with unique strengths and challenges.

The research, published in BMC Environmental Health, pulled together data from 46 different studies worldwide. The team, led by Andrea Baccarelli at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and researchers from Mount Sinai, used a rigorous review process to examine whether exposure to acetaminophen in the womb might influence a child’s brain development. Their findings suggest that when Tylenol is used for extended periods during pregnancy, the odds of a child developing autism or ADHD go up.

Still, experts are careful not to sound the alarm too loudly. Acetaminophen is often the safest choice for treating pain and fever when you’re pregnant, and untreated high fevers can also harm a developing baby. The current advice? Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time, and always check with your doctor. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently echoed this advice, encouraging clinicians to be cautious about recommending acetaminophen during pregnancy, especially for long-term use.

Andrea Baccarelli, the study’s senior author, spoke with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. before the FDA’s announcement, sharing his research showing “evidence of an association” between prenatal Tylenol exposure and neurodevelopmental disorders. The risk appears to be highest with heavy or prolonged use—meaning more than four weeks during pregnancy.

Baccarelli and his co-authors stress that more research is needed to prove whether acetaminophen directly causes these conditions, or if other factors are involved. For now, the best approach is moderation and close consultation with a healthcare provider.

This research was a collaboration between Harvard, Mount Sinai, UCLA, and UMass Lowell, and received support from several national health institutes.

In short: If you’re pregnant and considering Tylenol, don’t panic—but do check with your doctor, and keep use limited unless absolutely necessary. The link between acetaminophen and autism isn’t settled science yet, but caution is warranted.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

-
Image
DIABETES: UNDERSTANDING THIS CONDITION   Diabetes is a complex, chronic condition that comes in several forms, each with its own causes, risks, and best ways to manage it.  Diabetes alters how your body uses insulin, a substance produced in the pancreas, required by cells to absorb sugar in the form of glycogen. When glycogen is unavailable to your cells, they lack an energy source. The two most common types of Diabetes are Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 is primarily an autoimmune issue—your own immune system mistakenly destroys the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas (Nature Reviews Disease Primers) There are also rare, less-understood forms, often linked to genetics. Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for over 90% of all cases, develops when your body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn't make enough of it (Nature Reviews Disease Primers; NY.gov). Symptoms can be similar to those of Type 1, but often develop more gradually and may also include blurred vision, slow-he...
Read more
-
Image
COLONOSCOPY: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW A colonoscopy remains one of the most effective ways to detect and prevent colorectal cancer before it becomes a serious threat. During the procedure, doctors can find and remove precancerous polyps, significantly lowering your chances of developing colorectal cancer later on. Studies consistently show that getting a colonoscopy every 10 years—recommended for most adults at average risk—not only saves lives but also costs less over time compared to other screening methods, such as yearly fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs) (Annals of Internal Medicine). Medical experts generally recommend starting regular colonoscopy screenings around age 45 or 50, depending on your health history, and repeating them every 10 years if no issues are found. This timeline is supported by substantial evidence showing colorectal cancer rates stay very low within ten years of a clean colonoscopy (BMJ). If colorectal cancer or certain polyps run in your family, your doctor migh...
Read more

Diabetes drugs may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.

-
Image
    Diabetes drugs may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. The study finds people taking the drugs have fewer biomarkers, slower cognitive decline. People taking certain drugs to lower blood sugar for type 2 diabetes had less amyloid in the brain, a biomarker of Alzheimer's disease compared to people with type 2 diabetes who are not taking the drugs and those without diabetes. The new study, published in the August 11, 2021, online issue of  Neurology , the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, also found people taking these drugs, called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, showed slower cognitive decline than people in the other two groups. In people with type 2 diabetes, the body no longer efficiently uses insulin to control blood sugar. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, also known as gliptins, can be prescribed when other diabetes drugs do not work. They help control blood sugar when combined with diet and exercise. "People with diabetes have been shown to ...
Read more