When a new health scare emerges, its impact can be immediate. Headlines spread rapidly, social media amplifies concern and people are left trying to make decisions about their health and that of their families. Behind the scenes, however, another process is unfolding – researchers are carefully examining the evidence, challenging assumptions and working to establish the facts.
Earlier this year, a team led by Professor Asma Khalil, Professor of Obstetrics and Maternal Fetal Medicine at City St George’s School of Health & Medical Sciences, published the most rigorous analysis to date on one such public health concern. This was to explore whether taking paracetamol during pregnancy increases the risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability in children. The answer was clear. It does not.
For many people, this finding offered reassurance. For City St George’s, it demonstrated something equally important, that our research expertise plays a vital role in modern society.
In an age where information is everywhere, the ability to distinguish evidence from speculation has become one of the most valuable professional skills of all. Universities have a responsibility not only to generate knowledge but to produce graduates and researchers who can critically evaluate information, challenge established narratives and communicate complex findings to the public. This paracetamol study is a powerful example of that process in action.
Public concern had grown following controversial claims from the US that taking paracetamol during pregnancy might affect a child’s neurodevelopment. While earlier studies had suggested a possible link, many researchers questioned whether those findings were being influenced by factors that had not been adequately accounted for. Genetics, family environment and underlying maternal health conditions can all play a role in child development, making it difficult to isolate the effect of a single medication.
To address these uncertainties, Professor Khalil and colleagues undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of 43 studies. They focused on the highest-quality evidence available and most rigorous research methods, including sibling comparison studies that allow researchers to control for many family-related factors that traditional studies cannot fully account for. Drawing on data from hundreds of thousands of children, they found no evidence that paracetamol use during pregnancy increased the likelihood of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability.
The scale of the project reflects the increasingly collaborative nature of modern careers in healthcare and research. Today’s scientists and clinicians are rarely working in isolation. They are often part of multidisciplinary teams that bring together expertise in areas such as medicine, epidemiology, statistics, data analysis and communication. Success depends not only on technical knowledge but also on teamwork, leadership and the ability to translate findings into meaningful action.
For students considering their future careers, research stories like this offer a glimpse into the diversity of opportunities available within healthcare and academia. While many people associate medical careers with direct patient care, advances in healthcare also depend on those who investigate evidence, design studies, analyse data and help to inform policy. The findings generated by researchers can influence clinical practice, shape public understanding and ultimately affect the health and wellbeing of millions of people.
Professor Khalil’s work highlights another important aspect of employability – public impact. The most successful professionals are not simply experts in their field; they are able to communicate their expertise in ways that build trust and confidence.
In this case, the research provided reassurance to pregnant women and healthcare professionals around the world. It reinforced existing medical guidance and helped ensure that expectant mothers continue to have access to safe and effective options for managing pain and fever during pregnancy.
Professor Asma Khalil said: “Pregnancy can be an overwhelming time, with women often receiving conflicting advice from multiple sources while trying to make the best decisions for themselves and their babies.
“Research like this is important because it provides clear, reliable evidence about questions that can cause considerable and unnecessary anxiety. We hope these findings offer expectant mothers reassurance and give them confidence that paracetamol remains an appropriate option for managing pain and fever during pregnancy when clinically needed and used in line with current guidance.”
The study also serves as a reminder of the broader role universities play within society. Research does not end when a paper is published, its true value lies in how knowledge is applied, shared and used to improve lives. Whether influencing healthcare guidance, informing public debate or shaping future research, evidence-based inquiry has a reach far beyond the laboratory or lecture theatre.
Ultimately, the paracetamol study is more than a research success story. It is an illustration of the expertise, curiosity and determination that drive progress. It shows how rigorous research can cut through uncertainty, provide reassurance and make a tangible difference to people’s lives.
It demonstrates something that lies at the heart of every successful career – the power of evidence, applied with purpose, to create meaningful impact.