JAMA Medical News Acetaminophen Use in Pregnancy and Risk of Autism
Sep 29, 2025
Brian Lee, a leading epidemiologist from Drexel University, sheds light on his research linking acetaminophen use during pregnancy to autism risk. He discusses the nuances of causality, emphasizing that association does not imply direct cause, and explains the strength of his study's design. Lee contrasts his findings with conflicting studies, advocating for careful use of medication during pregnancy. He stresses the importance of treating fever while adhering to professional guidelines, reassuring listeners about the absence of strong causal evidence.
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Sibling Analysis Changes The Story
- Comparing exposed children to unexposed showed an apparent association between prenatal acetaminophen and neurodevelopmental disorders.
- That association disappeared in sibling analyses, suggesting noncausal confounding factors.
Ice Cream And Drowning Example
- Dr. Lee used an ice cream and drowning example to explain confounding.
- He illustrated that a third factor (hot weather) drives both variables, making a causal link false.
Prospective Exposure Data Strengthens Findings
- Prospective collection of acetaminophen use during pregnancy reduces recall bias compared with retrospective studies.
- Having pregnancy-time exposure data strengthens confidence in measured associations or lack thereof.