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Acetaminophen During Pregnancy and ADHD Risk: What New Research Reveals

Is Tylenol really safe during pregnancy? Millions of expectant mothers have relied on acetaminophen to manage pain and fever, believing it to be one of the safest over-the-counter options. But new research is prompting doctors and parents alike to take a closer look at its long-term effects—especially on children’s brain development.

At Dr. David Danish’s practice, we help parents make informed, proactive choices about their child’s mental health—starting before birth. A recent study published in Nature Mental Health offers compelling new evidence that second trimester exposure to acetaminophen may be linked to a significantly increased risk of ADHD in children, with particularly strong effects seen in girls.

Does Taking Tylenol in Pregnancy Raise ADHD Risk?

A large, long-term study analyzed blood samples from over 300 pregnant women and tracked their children’s development for up to 10 years. Researchers found that:

  • 20% of pregnant women had detectable levels of acetaminophen in their blood during the second trimester.
  • Their children were over 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD compared to those whose mothers had no detectable levels [1].
  • For girls, the risk was especially high: more than 6 times greater odds of an ADHD diagnosis.

This suggests a potential sex-specific vulnerability, where female fetal brains may be more sensitive to the effects of acetaminophen.

What’s Going On at the Biological Level?

The researchers dug deeper by examining gene expression in placental tissue—offering rare insight into how medication might impact fetal development.

Here’s what they found:

  • Increased immune system activity in placentas of exposed female fetuses.
  • Reduced oxidative phosphorylation, a key energy-producing process, in both sexes.
  • A gene called IGHG1, involved in immune response, was linked to a measurable increase in ADHD risk—suggesting that immune system disruption could be a contributing factor.

But this doesn’t happen in isolation. These biological effects likely interact with complex genetic predispositions that we’re only beginning to understand. Not every child exposed to acetaminophen develops ADHD, and not every child with ADHD was exposed to acetaminophen. Genetics, environment, and timing all play a role.

Should Pregnant Women Avoid Acetaminophen?

Acetaminophen is used by more than 70% of pregnant women worldwide, and it’s been considered safe for decades. But this new research offers a cautionary note:

  • The study used biological markers, not self-reported data—making it more reliable than previous research.
  • The strongest effects were seen with second trimester exposure.
  • Experts are now calling for updated safety guidelines and greater public awareness.

That said, this is not a cause for guilt or panic. If you took acetaminophen during pregnancy—whether once or multiple times—it does not mean you caused harm to your child, even if they later develop ADHD, autism, or another neurodevelopmental condition. These conditions arise from multiple interacting factors, and medication is just one potential piece of a much larger puzzle.

Learning About Mental Health—Without the Noise
 In a world of clickbait headlines and endless Reddit threads, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed—especially when you’re trying to understand complex conditions like ADHD, anxiety, or autism.

Dr. David Danish created this site to offer something different: clear, science-based mental health education without the hype or hidden agenda. Whether you’re a parent, a patient, or just someone curious about how the brain works, you’re in the right place.

When you’re ready to take the next step, here’s how to go deeper with Dr. Danish’s tools and expertise:

Explore More from Dr. Danish
 ➤ The Mind Vault: A growing library of free and premium guides on ADHD, anxiety, supplements, and more. Start exploring today.
➤ Dr. Danish’s Supplement Guide: Learn which brands he trusts and how to dose them based on evidence.
➤ ADHD Coaching Nationwide: Get global support for executive function challenges—from school to the workplace.
➤ Philadelphia Integrative Psychiatry: Access in-person care with Dr. Danish’s team in Devon, PA.
➤ New York Integrative Psychiatry: Connect with his Manhattan-based clinical team for psychiatric support.
➤ Virtual Sleep Treatment in 1 Hour: Discover SleepScriptMD, a fast, evidence-based way to treat insomnia.

If this post helped clarify something you’ve been wondering about, bookmark it or share it with a friend. Mental health education should feel empowering—not overwhelming.

Meta Description:
 New research suggests that taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) during pregnancy—especially in the second trimester—may raise ADHD risk in children. Learn more.

Sources:
 [1] https://www.nature.com/articles/s44220-025-00387-6
 [2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24566677/