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A study by researchers in the UK, Italy and Sweden has found no evidence that paracetamol use during pregnancy increases the risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability among children.

Debunking US president Donald Trump’s infamous claim in September last year that paracetamol causes autism, researchers looked at 43 studies involving hundreds of thousands of women and compared pregnancies where mothers had taken the painkiller to pregnancies where they did not take it.

Researchers examined studies of children who were born to the same mother, including 262,852 children who were assessed for autism, 335,255 for ADHD and 406,681 for intellectual disability.

“When considering sibling comparison studies, paracetamol exposure during pregnancy was not associated with the risk of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD or intellectual disability,” the researchers concluded. The study was published in the Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Women’s Health.

Trump was criticised by health experts across the world after claiming women who took Tylenol, the brand name for the drug acetaminophen which is also called paracetamol, whilst pregnant put their children at a higher risk of developing autism.

“Taking Tylenol is not good…All pregnant women should talk to their doctors about limiting the use of this medication while pregnant…Don’t take Tylenol. There’s no downside,” Trump said.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency reaffirmed “that paracetamol continues to be the safest option for managing pain and fever during pregnancy”.

The MHRA’s chief safety officer Dr Alison Cave said: “Paracetamol remains safe to use during pregnancy. This large-scale analysis of the evidence found no link between taking paracetamol during pregnancy and autism, ADHD, or disability in children.

“Paracetamol has been used for many years and is the recommended first choice for treating pain or fever during pregnancy. When taken as directed, it is safe and effective.

“As with all medicines, pregnant women should speak to their doctor, pharmacist or midwife if they have any questions, and follow the guidance provided with the medicine.”