Jun 29, 2026 · 14 min · 11 segments
In this episode of *Baby Tribe Shorts*, Afif and Anne tackle the anxiety caused by recent headlines linking paracetamol use in pregnancy with autism, ADHD and intellectual disability. They walk…
Afif El-KhuffashHost
Anne DohertyHost
Um, it's worth pausing for a moment on why paracetamol is recommended in pregnancy in the first place because it isn't chosen at random.
... especially after the first trimester because later in pregnancy they can reduce blood flow to the baby's kidneys-
... lower amniotic fluid levels, and cause premature closure of the patent ductus arteriosus, which is a vital blood vessel in the fetal circulation.
These are well-described, biologically plausible, and clinically real risks.
I am aware that in specific circumstances, under supervised and limited conditions, your obstetrician may look at how far along you are, look at where you are in your pre- uh, how your baby's doing and stuff like that, and if it was necessary-
So then to take paracetamol away from pregnant women for something that is pretty much not-
Um, it's worth pausing for a moment on why paracetamol is recommended in pregnancy in the first place because it isn't chosen at random.
... especially after the first trimester because later in pregnancy they can reduce blood flow to the baby's kidneys-
... lower amniotic fluid levels, and cause premature closure of the patent ductus arteriosus, which is a vital blood vessel in the fetal circulation.
These are well-described, biologically plausible, and clinically real risks.
I am aware that in specific circumstances, under supervised and limited conditions, your obstetrician may look at how far along you are, look at where you are in your pre- uh, how your baby's doing and stuff like that, and if it was necessary-
So then to take paracetamol away from pregnant women for something that is pretty much not-
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