Medical Experts Refute Trump's Claims Linking Tylenol Use During Pregnancy to Autism
President Trump's assertion that acetaminophen use during pregnancy increases autism risk is contradicted by medical experts citing lack of evidence.
President Donald Trump has suggested that pregnant women should avoid using Tylenol, claiming a link between its active ingredient, acetaminophen, and an increased risk of autism in children. This assertion has been met with strong opposition from medical professionals and health organizations.
"Suggestions that acetaminophen use in pregnancy causes autism are not only highly concerning to clinicians but also irresponsible when considering the harmful and confusing message they send to pregnant patients," said Dr. Steven Fleischman, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) also addressed the claim, stating that a thorough review of existing research has not established a causal relationship between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and an increased risk of autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.
International health authorities have echoed these sentiments. The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) stated there is no evidence linking paracetamol use during pregnancy with autism and continues to recommend it for pain relief. Similarly, Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) reaffirmed the drug's safety for use in pregnancy.
In response to the controversy, Tylenol's manufacturer acknowledged public concerns and emphasized that credible, independent scientific data continues to show no proven link between taking acetaminophen and autism. They highlighted that medical and public organizations agree on this matter.
Medical experts caution that untreated fevers during pregnancy pose greater risks than the judicious use of acetaminophen. Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez, a pediatrician, emphasized that the best available science does not show an association between Tylenol use in pregnancy and an increased risk of autism.
Additionally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved leucovorin, a folic acid derivative, for the treatment of symptoms associated with cerebral folate deficiency, which can present with neuropsychiatric symptoms related to autism. However, the American Psychiatric Association noted that leucovorin has not been a recommended treatment for autism and emphasized the need for further research before determining its appropriateness for individuals with autism.
Health professionals stress that misrepresenting established science can endanger public health, especially among children. They advise that any decisions regarding medication use during pregnancy should be made in consultation with healthcare providers, considering the best available scientific evidence.