South African Medical Societies Reaffirm Paracetamol Safety in Pregnancy Amid Trump’s Autism Warning
South African medical groups have come out strongly to assure pregnant women that paracetamol, the key ingredient in painkillers like Tylenol, is safe to use during pregnancy when taken as directed. This follows US President Donald Trump’s recent claim linking the drug to autism, which experts say lacks solid proof. The South African Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (SASOG), the Society of Obstetric Medicine South Africa (SOOMSA), and the South African Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (SASUOG) issued a joint statement, stressing that no evidence shows paracetamol at normal doses causes autism in children. As the country marks Heritage Day, this guidance highlights the importance of relying on science over unproven fears, ensuring moms-to-be can manage pain and fever without worry.
Medical bodies worldwide have long viewed paracetamol as one of the safest options for pregnant women needing relief from aches or high temperatures. Trump’s warning has sparked global pushback, with groups like the EU medicines regulator and WHO confirming its safety. In South Africa, the societies’ message aims to calm concerns and prevent untreated symptoms that could harm both mom and baby.
Societies’ Statement: No Link to Autism, Paracetamol Remains First Choice
The three societies reviewed the latest evidence and found no grounds for alarm. “While some early observational studies suggested a small association between prenatal paracetamol exposure and ASD, these analyses were particularly vulnerable to confounding by genetic, familial, and environmental factors, and in many cases relied on self-reported exposure data of limited reliability,” said Dr Jarrod Zamparini, President of SOOMSA.
He added: “By contrast, more robust study designs, especially sibling-control analyses, show no increased risk of ASD.”
Zamparini stressed the risks of not treating symptoms: “Fever in pregnancy is not benign; it has been associated with miscarriage, congenital malformations including neural tube defects and cardiac defects, preterm delivery and intrauterine fetal demise. Similarly, severe or persistent pain, if not treated, can have a significant impact on maternal mental health, with clear consequences for both mother and fetus.”
“Against this backdrop, paracetamol remains the safest and most effective first-line treatment for pain and fever in pregnancy, as no alternative agent has a superior safety profile. At standard therapeutic doses, paracetamol is not associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy or child health outcomes.”
This aligns with global views, where paracetamol is recommended as safe at any stage of pregnancy.
Trump’s Claim: Unproven Link Sparks Global Reassurance
Trump’s statement came on Monday, 22 September 2025, when he announced the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would start a process for a label change on acetaminophen (paracetamol) due to “mounting evidence” of a link to autism when used in pregnancy. He advised: “Don’t take Tylenol,” contradicting long-standing medical advice.
Health officials worldwide quickly pushed back. The EU medicines regulator stated paracetamol is safe during pregnancy. The BBC and CNN reported experts saying more research is needed, but current evidence does not support avoiding it. CNN noted: “Experts say that pregnant people should not be afraid to take Tylenol.”
The FDA responded by initiating a label review, but scientists emphasise that weak observational studies do not prove causation, and robust ones show no link.
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