In the study's Limitations sections it says what Russell Barkley always points out[1] as the missing key component in ADHD and autism studies: "Fourth, because of our observational study design, we were unable to exclude the potential residual confounders because of unmeasured genetic and environmental factors."

Both ADHD and autism have genetic causes in 80% of cases and run in families, not measuring genetic factors makes this whole study a waste of time.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJGn4j6QTiw

Here’s a comment I made in a different thread—

> It occurs to me that pain killers can cross the placenta and also affect gut microbes, and that since sometimes autism isn’t inherited, there’s a gut microbe imbalance component to autism that needs more attention, especially related to how gut microbes differ in those born with and without Caesarians [because being exposed to birth canal microbes contributes to newborn health]. Secondly, how are genes related to autism also linked to the gut-brain axis.

Regardless of any connections to acetaminophen, it would be interesting to take measurements of vaginal microbe titres and then compare the incidence of autism for growing babies.

> I believe acetaminophen is prescribed routinely during pregnancy because it’s considered safe to use, but it’s indicated that there may be a link between its use and outcomes, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9385573/

> Here’s some additional information from another paper

>> The gut microbiome has been implicated in the pathophysiological mechanisms of ADHD through the MGBA. Alterations in the MGBA contribute to neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, leading to ADHD core symptoms and associated comorbidities such as sleep disturbances. There is some evidence indicating maternal stress and the use of acetaminophen, which is a common pain reliever and fever reducer, may increase the risk of ADHD in offspring during pregnancy https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/14/10/1234

All that said, I’d just like to see some openminded science on this instead of social media blasts and Internet forum discussions.

Wait, I have ADHD and my mother never took a pain pill in her life, not even during birth.