Babies whose mums took paracetamol during pregnancy are at a higher risk of having autism and ADHD, scientists have discovered.
Researchers in Barcelona studied 70,000 children across six separate studies on the topic, and found that between 14 and 56 per cent of the mums-to-be had reported taking paracetamol while pregnant.
Of the babies exposed to paracetamol before they were born, 19 per cent were more likely to develop symptoms of autism and 21 per cent were more likely to develop ADHD symptoms.
Sílvia Alemany, lead author of the study at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, said: “Our findings are consistent with previous research.
“We also found that prenatal exposure to paracetamol affects boys and girls in a similar way, as we observed practically no differences.”
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Researcher Jordi Sunyer said women could still use the painkillers during their pregnancy, but added to use it “only when necessary”.
This study was described as the largest yet, taking data from the UK, Denmark, the Netherlands, Italy, Greece and Spain.
However doctors in the UK say the findings only show there is a link between exposure to paracetamol in the womb leading to poorer cognitive performance and behavioural problems.
Prof Andrew Shennan, a professor of obstetrics, King’s College London, said it could be the reason the women took paracetamol in the first place, rather than the drug itself, to blame.
He told The Sun: “The analysis is not able to rule this out. Paracetamol is an important drug to reduce temperatures, and high temperatures can be harmful to pregnancies.
“Currently women should still take paracetamol when needed, and ask advice from their GP or midwife if uncertain.”
He added: “This study suggests that in women who took paracetamol in pregnancy the chance of autism in their child could be slightly higher.
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“For example, instead of one in 1,000 chance it maybe 1.2/1,000. Or for every five cases of autism there may be an extra one.”
The NHS website states: “Paracetamol has been used routinely during all stages of pregnancy to reduce a high temperature and for pain relief.
“There is no clear evidence that it has any harmful effects on an unborn baby.”
But women who are pregnant are advised to steer clear of the other common pain relief medicine ibuprofen.
The NHS website states: “This is because taking ibuprofen at this stage of pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of complications, including a heart problem in your baby and a reduced amount of amniotic fluid.”