Malta Health Authorities Reassure Public On Paracetamol Use During Pregnancy

Malta’s health authorities have issued a statement reassuring the public about the safety of paracetamol (acetaminophen) use during pregnancy, following recent controversial claims made by U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump suggested a link between paracetamol use during pregnancy and autism, prompting widespread concern among medical professionals and health organisations.

The position of Malta’s authorities aligns with statements from the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). On 22 September 2025, the MHRA confirmed that “there is no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children” and emphasised that paracetamol remains the recommended option for managing pain and fever during pregnancy when used as directed. Untreated pain and fever, they noted, can pose risks to the unborn baby, so any medication decisions should follow professional medical advice.

EMA’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) reflected the evidence in 2019 by confirming that data from pregnant women show no malformative or foetal/neonatal toxicity, and studies on child neurodevelopment after in utero paracetamol exposure have failed to show any detrimental effects. EMA advises that, where clinically needed, paracetamol can be used at the lowest effective dose, for the shortest possible time, and at the lowest frequency.

EMA’s Chief Medical Officer, Steffen Thirstrup, stated on 23 September, “Paracetamol remains an important option to treat pain or fever in pregnant women. Our advice is based on a rigorous assessment of the available scientific data, and we have found no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children.”

The National Autistic Society (UK) has strongly condemned claims linking paracetamol with autism as unfounded and irresponsible, highlighting the risk such statements pose to pregnant women and children, and stressing support for autistic people without stigma.

International guidelines, including those from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and NICE, all confirm that paracetamol remains the first-line medication for pain and fever in pregnancy.

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