DH responds to media enquiry on paracetamol and hepatitis B vaccination for newborns
************************************************************************************
Paracetamol
----------------
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently issued a statement indicating that there is currently insufficient scientific evidence to conclude that paracetamol use during pregnancy causes autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders in children, or that there is any association between the two. Furthermore, several drug regulatory authorities, including those in the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, have successively emphasised that based on rigorous assessments of existing scientific data, paracetamol remains an important option for pregnant women to relieve pain or fever when clinically indicated and under medical advice. Some authorities have specifically noted that studies suggesting a potential link between the two exhibit significant limitations and in fact failed to establish a causal relationship. Conversely, the medical community has long confirmed through more rigorous large-scale studies that there is no association between paracetamol use during pregnancy and autism or ADHD.
Based on current scientific evidence, claims that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders in children lack sufficient supporting evidence.
High fever in pregnant women may pose risks to the foetus's life and health. The DH therefore advises pregnant women shall follow their doctor's recommendations. Healthcare professionals will conduct professional assessments based on the mother's health condition and prescribe necessary medicines, which may include paracetamol at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration. The DH emphasises that pregnant women should exercise caution when taking medicines during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester. Before using any medicines, they should consult healthcare professionals or follow medical advice.
Currently, there are about 700 registered medicines in Hong Kong contain paracetamol. According to records of the DH, to date, no reports have been received linking paracetamol use during pregnancy to autism in children. The DH will continue to closely monitor safety recommendations and research findings from other international health authorities and drug regulatory authorities regarding the use of various medicines, and to take appropriate follow-up actions as necessary.
Hepatitis B vaccination for newborns
--------------------------------------------
According to the WHO's recommendations, receiving the hepatitis B vaccine at birth and completing the three-dose series as scheduled are crucial measures for preventing infection and reducing the public health burden of hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. The major transmission routes include MTCT, and through contact with blood and sexual contact. In chronic hepatitis B (CHB) endemic places (including Hong Kong), most people with CHB are infected through MTCT.
The younger the age of acquiring the infection, the higher the risk of developing CHB. If a newborn is infected, there is up to a 90 per cent chance of developing CHB. CHB is the primary cause of liver cancer, cirrhosis, and liver failure among the population in Hong Kong.
Since 1988, the universal childhood hepatitis B immunisation programme has been implemented in Hong Kong. The current vaccination coverage rate among pre-school children has reached 99 per cent. According to the Population Health Survey 2020-22, prevalence of hepatitis B among those under 35 years old has dropped below one per cent, reflecting Hong Kong's successful progress towards realising the goal of "hepatitis B-free generation". The provision of hepatitis B vaccination to newborns has been instrumental in this achievement. Any proposal to delay newborn immunisations would pose irreversible and significant public health risks to the community. The DH unequivocally opposes such suggestions.
The Government will closely monitor the local and international development related to hepatitis B, and will promulgate the Hong Kong Viral Hepatitis Action Plan 2025 – 2030 this year to further alleviate the public health burden of viral hepatitis.
Ends/Thursday, September 25, 2025
Issued at HKT 22:46
Issued at HKT 22:46
NNNN