The risk of developing ADHD was 3 times higher among children whose mothers used the pain-relief drug acetaminophen (paracetamol) during pregnancy. The association was stronger among daughters, with the daughters of acetaminophen-exposed mothers showing a 6.16 times higher likelihood of ADHD.

[u/mvea]

https://newsroom.uw.edu/news-releases/child-adhd-risk-linked-to-mothers-use-of-acetaminophen

[u/Spaghetti4wifey]

I didn't need to read this after taking Tylenol to get through a painful migraine yesterday while pregnant :(

Also, what pain relief is left? None, it's the only one that's approved....

[u/Bug_eyed_bug → u/Spaghetti4wifey]

From one pregnant lady to another, please don't stress yourself out about this. Pain relief is important in pregnancy; the stress, difficulties and cascading issues that can stem from pain aren't to be ignored.

[u/tortiesrock → u/Spaghetti4wifey]

This study cannot stablish causality, only correlation. Your baby is not going to be harmed by taking Tylenol sporadically. Probably you need a continuos exposure. A study that conflates one-time uses for pain relief to those people who take paracetamol daily for chronic pain during pregnancy is not rigurous.

There already too many things to avoid during pregnancy and the evidence is not that strong. I read a study about licorice, it found neurological defects in babies born from mothers who took daily high doses of licorice. Somehow that translates into: “licorice should be avoided during pregnancy” instead of licorice is harmful in high quantities. So do not worry.

[u/tortiesrock → u/[deleted]]

I have to disagree. Paracetamol has been reviewed before and its the only pain relief approved during pregnancy. The implications of not being able to take anything for pain relief during pregnancy are huge for the quality of life of patients. Untreated pain raises stress and causes psychological issues. To deny pain medication is akin to torture.

So no, a study that did not even take dosage and frequency into account cannot change stablished clinical practice. Specially when there is nothing else to fill the rol of paracetamol.

[u/InfinitelyThirsting → u/Spaghetti4wifey]

ADHD is extremely genetic, about 70-80%. You don't need to worry, this correlation not causation, especially since their screening of mental health of the families was self-reported. Many women with ADHD are undiagnosed because of medical and societal sexism. They'd need to have actually screened the mothers, not just relied on who has been officially diagnosed (my mother obviously has ADHD, as do both her daughters, she was never diagnosed).

[u/Spaghetti4wifey → u/InfinitelyThirsting]

Yes it does sound more correlation, that's true!

[u/TheUnusuallySpecific → u/Spaghetti4wifey]

Unfortunately that's pretty much the rub, anything that relieves pain is doing it by disrupting normal processes in the nervous system one way or another. It stands to reason that anything disrupting the normal processes of the nervous system, when the normal process that nervous system is going through is growing for the first time, may have negative consequences for a fetus. The only pain medication that conceptually would be completely safe is one that has 0% transfer between a mother and fetus, which is difficult to guarantee.

All of that being said, everything is a matter of degrees. The increase in risk is notable, but it's VERY far from a guarantee that taking Tylenol will cause your baby to have ADHD. Massive cortisol spikes from the pain and stress of unmanaged migraines can have plenty of negative effects on a fetus as well. Information like this is best used to inform yourself and be mindful - for example, taking Tylenol to help mitigate a migraine or cluster headache is reasonable and there are risks on both sides so things are balanced out to an extent. But maybe popping a Tylenol to take the edge off of a back ache or hurting ankles is less necessary and can be avoided.

Sorry for this random spiel from an internet stranger, I just went down the rabbit hole of the neurotoxicity of tylenol and common painkillers in babies just the other day myself. It was definitely scary at first but finding the perspective above helped me avoid getting paralyzed with anxiety.

[u/Spaghetti4wifey → u/TheUnusuallySpecific]

No this was well and informed and helpful, I appreciate it :)

I've been so focused on worrying about other development issues that I didn't even think about this one, but it's a solid point that anything that disrupts the normal process will affect baby.

Fortunately my migraines have reduced during this pregnancy and I do have a pretty high pain tolerance to injuries/aches. So I shouldn't need it nearly as often as I did prepregnancy.

[u/asterlynx → u/Spaghetti4wifey]

Please manage your pain accordingly. Someone above commented that this medication is the only one recommended during pregnancy, this is because it has been studied and approved. Stress caused by untreated pain does affect development. Follow your doctor recommendations, not internet strangers. And don’t endure pain just because you have get used to it. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition with a strong genetic component, taking acetaminophen is not going to cause adhd alone

[u/BeepBoopRobo → u/TheUnusuallySpecific]

It stands to reason that anything disrupting the normal processes of the nervous system, when the normal process that nervous system is going through is growing for the first time, may have negative consequences for a fetus.

It doesn't stand to reason what you said. That's all conjecture. This study is a correlative study, not a causation study.

The evidence absolutely doesn't show what you're suggesting. It shows those who use it, have a higher chance to have kids with ADHD. But the question is why? And that's the issue. We can't say it's because of the Tylenol. It's entirely possible that people who need the pain reduction drugs and therefore use them, have a higher likelihood to have kids with ADHD - because of comorbidities or genetics.

We don't know. But there isn't clear evidence that the Tylenol causes the problem. And that's not what this is saying. The headline certainly is implying it, but the headline is misleading.

[u/tauriwoman → u/Spaghetti4wifey]

I know the guilt sucks but it's better you read this now than pp.
Non-tylenol suggestions would be that Vitamin B2 and magnesium helps with migraines. You can also try drinking more water (room temperature not cold), turning down lights and playing soft music.