Prenatal Acetaminophen Exposure and the Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Objective. To review relevant literature concerning prenatal acetaminophen exposure and the risk of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder in children. Methods. Literature was gathered from PubMed and Google Scholar in January and February 2026 to assess the risk of prenatal acetaminophen exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children. Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Results. The majority of included studies reported a positive association between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and adverse neurological outcomes in children. Large cohort studies showed significant increases in hyperactivity, behavioral problems, and clinical diagnoses in exposed children. Studies including biomarker-based measurements supported these findings. However, other studies, including sibling-comparison analyses and experimental animal studies, found no statistically significant association between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and increased risk of ADHD or ASD. Discussion. Prenatal acetaminophen exposure may be associated with the risk of ADHD and ASD in children, but findings remain inconsistent. Further research using objective exposure measures and accounting for confounding factors is necessary.