Image: Adobe Stock<\/em>
The FDA last year announced it would begin notifying clinicians of an apparent link between prenatal use of acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol), the main ingredient in Tylenol (Kenvue), and neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring while updating acetaminophen\u2019s label to reflect the risk.<\/p>\n
Recent research suggested that prescribing of acetaminophen among pregnant women fell after HHS\u2019 announcement despite a lack of scientific evidence and no changes in clinical guidance.<\/p>\n
Holder explained that a colleague, \u201cDr. Claire Schenken, had conducted several observational studies regarding social responses to contemporary issues (namely, the fall of Roe<\/i> vs. Wade<\/i> in 2022). We know that the internet has expanded access to the majority of individuals in the U.S.; however, this has been a double-edged sword, as demonstrated repeatedly over the past several years.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAttempting to work within an administration that sows doubt and misinformation, my question was how a third party \u2014 AI, or ChatGPT in this case \u2014 influenced the general population,\u201d he said. \u201cDetermining the presence of bias and information (evidence-based, or other) when consulting AI is important to be aware of as our patients turn more and more frequently to a doctor in their pocket.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the analysis, Holder and colleagues presented five prompts to ChatGPT-5 that included the \u201crelationship between acetaminophen and autism, safety of dosage, common ailments for use, research studies regarding the dangers of intake during pregnancy and highlighting individuals on social media.\u201d<\/p>\n
ChatGPT\u2019s answers were then \u201ccorrelated by alignment\u201d with statements made by professional, science-based medical organizations including ACOG and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, the researchers noted in the abstract.<\/p>\n
Holder and colleagues reported that ChatGPT\u2019s discussions ranged from no associations between prenatal acetaminophen use and autism to potential links.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, a final statement insisted \u2018no studies prove acetaminophen is harmful when used in normal doses during pregnancy,\u2019\u201d they wrote.<\/p>\n
The researchers also found that ChatGPT provided common reasons for acetaminophen use, underlined the necessity of appropriate treatment and \u201cand stressed the use of the lowest effective dose for the shortest time (maximum of 3,000 mg daily).\u201d<\/p>\n
ChatGPT showed a lack of evidence on the link between neurodevelopmental disorders and prenatal acetaminophen use, Holder and colleagues wrote, \u201cby analyzing and referring to scientific studies while spotlighting board-certified, science-practicing OB\/GYNs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs uncomfortable as it may seem, providers need to engage AI and assist in shaping its utility for our patients,\u201d Holder told Healio. \u201cWe know that our patients rely heavily on this \u2018immediate\u2019 source of recommendations. It is important to maintain a healthy skepticism with the instant dissemination of information; however, instead of shying away and competing with AI, we can help form a tool to better our patient care.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that, \u201chealth care professionals, myself included, also need to continue to advocate for the ethical and science-based use of AI, whether through policy or administration.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more information:<\/h2>\n Erik Holder, MD, MPH<\/b>, <\/b>can be reached at primarycare@healio.com.<\/p>\n\n
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