Pregnant women urged to ignore Trump's advice on paracetamol

BRITISH experts have urged mums-to-be to ignore Donald Trump’s claims linking paracetamol use during pregnancy to autism in children.

- By Hanna Geissler Health Editor

At a news conference the US president said the painkiller might be behind a “meteoroid rise” in cases of the condition.

But his claim was widely rejected by scientists yesterday, who said years of research found no evidence.

The UK’s medicines regulator urged pregnant women to follow existing guidance — and warned that untreated pain and fever “can pose risks to the unborn baby”.

Dr Alison Cave, chief safety officer at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), said: “Patient safety is our top priority. There is no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children.

“Paracetamol remains the recommended pain relief option for pregnant women when used as directed.

“Pregnant women should continue to follow existing NHS guidance and speak to their healthcare professional if they have questions about any medication during pregnancy.”

Rejected