The Dangers of Acetaminophen for Neurodevelopment Outweigh Scant Evidence for Long-Term Benefits
Based on available data that include approximately 20 lines of evidence from studies in laboratory animal models, observations in humans, correlations in time, and pharmacological/toxicological considerations, it has been concluded without reasonable doubt and with no evidence to the contrary that e...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Children |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/1/44 |
| _version_ | 1827372603206008832 |
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| author | William Parker Lauren G. Anderson John P. Jones Rachel Anderson Lauren Williamson Dillan Bono-Lunn Zacharoula Konsoula |
| author_facet | William Parker Lauren G. Anderson John P. Jones Rachel Anderson Lauren Williamson Dillan Bono-Lunn Zacharoula Konsoula |
| author_sort | William Parker |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Based on available data that include approximately 20 lines of evidence from studies in laboratory animal models, observations in humans, correlations in time, and pharmacological/toxicological considerations, it has been concluded without reasonable doubt and with no evidence to the contrary that exposure of susceptible babies and children to acetaminophen (paracetamol) induces many, if not most, cases of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the relative number of cases of ASD that might be induced by acetaminophen has not yet been estimated. Here, we examine a variety of evidence, including the acetaminophen-induced reduction of social awareness in adults, the prevalence of ASD through time, and crude estimates of the relative number of ASD cases induced by acetaminophen during various periods of neurodevelopment. We conclude that the very early postpartum period poses the greatest risk for acetaminophen-induced ASD, and that nearly ubiquitous use of acetaminophen during early development could conceivably be responsible for the induction in the vast majority, perhaps 90% or more, of all cases of ASD. Despite over a decade of accumulating evidence that acetaminophen is harmful for neurodevelopment, numerous studies demonstrate that acetaminophen is frequently administered to children in excess of currently approved amounts and under conditions in which it provides no benefit. Further, studies have failed to demonstrate long-term benefits of acetaminophen for the pediatric population, leaving no valid rationale for continued use of the drug in that population given its risks to neurodevelopment. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T11:02:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5be0921970764af2969e6c2ee7ffc30a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T11:02:07Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj.art-5be0921970764af2969e6c2ee7ffc30a2024-01-26T15:46:53ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672023-12-011114410.3390/children11010044The Dangers of Acetaminophen for Neurodevelopment Outweigh Scant Evidence for Long-Term BenefitsWilliam Parker0Lauren G. Anderson1John P. Jones2Rachel Anderson3Lauren Williamson4Dillan Bono-Lunn5Zacharoula Konsoula6Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USAWPLab, Inc., Durham, NC 27707, USAWPLab, Inc., Durham, NC 27707, USAWPLab, Inc., Durham, NC 27707, USADepartment of Biological Sciences, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY 41099, USADepartment of Public Policy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USAWPLab, Inc., Durham, NC 27707, USABased on available data that include approximately 20 lines of evidence from studies in laboratory animal models, observations in humans, correlations in time, and pharmacological/toxicological considerations, it has been concluded without reasonable doubt and with no evidence to the contrary that exposure of susceptible babies and children to acetaminophen (paracetamol) induces many, if not most, cases of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the relative number of cases of ASD that might be induced by acetaminophen has not yet been estimated. Here, we examine a variety of evidence, including the acetaminophen-induced reduction of social awareness in adults, the prevalence of ASD through time, and crude estimates of the relative number of ASD cases induced by acetaminophen during various periods of neurodevelopment. We conclude that the very early postpartum period poses the greatest risk for acetaminophen-induced ASD, and that nearly ubiquitous use of acetaminophen during early development could conceivably be responsible for the induction in the vast majority, perhaps 90% or more, of all cases of ASD. Despite over a decade of accumulating evidence that acetaminophen is harmful for neurodevelopment, numerous studies demonstrate that acetaminophen is frequently administered to children in excess of currently approved amounts and under conditions in which it provides no benefit. Further, studies have failed to demonstrate long-term benefits of acetaminophen for the pediatric population, leaving no valid rationale for continued use of the drug in that population given its risks to neurodevelopment.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/1/44acetaminophenautismfeverpainparacetamolpostnatal |
| spellingShingle | William Parker Lauren G. Anderson John P. Jones Rachel Anderson Lauren Williamson Dillan Bono-Lunn Zacharoula Konsoula The Dangers of Acetaminophen for Neurodevelopment Outweigh Scant Evidence for Long-Term Benefits Children acetaminophen autism fever pain paracetamol postnatal |
| title | The Dangers of Acetaminophen for Neurodevelopment Outweigh Scant Evidence for Long-Term Benefits |
| title_full | The Dangers of Acetaminophen for Neurodevelopment Outweigh Scant Evidence for Long-Term Benefits |
| title_fullStr | The Dangers of Acetaminophen for Neurodevelopment Outweigh Scant Evidence for Long-Term Benefits |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Dangers of Acetaminophen for Neurodevelopment Outweigh Scant Evidence for Long-Term Benefits |
| title_short | The Dangers of Acetaminophen for Neurodevelopment Outweigh Scant Evidence for Long-Term Benefits |
| title_sort | dangers of acetaminophen for neurodevelopment outweigh scant evidence for long term benefits |
| topic | acetaminophen autism fever pain paracetamol postnatal |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/1/44 |
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