World's most popular painkiller may increase risk of autism and ADHD, Harvard experts warn: 'This could have major public health implications'

Pregnant women should only take paracetamol on the advice of a doctor, Harvard scientists have warned—amid fears the common painkiller could raise the risk of autism and ADHD in their children.

Paracetamol—known as acetaminophen and often sold under the brand name Tylenol in the US—is widely used by expectant mothers to treat pain, headaches and fever. 

But dozens of studies have already linked it to higher rates of autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).