There is some evidence of a link between paracetamol use during pregnancy and detrimental effects on offspring cognition and behaviour including an increased risk for attention-deficit/hyperactivity and autism spectrum disorder symptoms. Several strategies have been used to test whether other behaviours or exposure related with maternal paracetamol use are confounding this association including partial adjustment by genetic and familial confounding. The use of other drugs during pregnancy and partner’s paracetamol use have previously been used as negative controls.
A large study combining results (meta-analysis) from several European birth-cohorts and accounting for the most relevant sources of confounding including child postnatal paracetamol use is needed to best inform public health advice. In this regard, given its severity and prevalence increase, there is special concern regarding the link between prenatal paracetamol exposure and child autism spectrum disorder symptoms. We plan to conduct this analysis in ALSPAC which will then be meta-analysed with the results from several other birth cohorts.