The US Trump administration's advice that pregnant women should limit the use of acetaminophen — also known as paracetamol — because of links to autism in children has been broadly condemned as "baseless" and causing unnecessary fear.

The announcement was made in a blaze of fanfare, with US President Donald Trump teasing the details hours before by boldly declaring: "I think we found an answer to autism."

Many experts in the US and across the globe moved swiftly to criticise the announcement, noting there was no robust evidence to suggest taking paracetamol during pregnancy could increase the likelihood of a child being diagnosed with autism.

Some told the ABC it was a "completely exaggerated reading of science" with "categorically no evidence" behind it.

Closer to home, the Australian

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