Doctors and autism researchers stress that acetaminophen remains safe during pregnancy and warn that Trump and Kennedy’s claims risk spreading harmful misinformation.
On Monday, President Donald Trump asserted that pregnant women should sharply reduce their use of acetaminophen—sold as Tylenol in the U.S. and paracetamol abroad—saying it increases the likelihood of autism.
The White House quickly followed with a fact sheet amplifying Trump’s claim, suggesting a link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism. And in a joint announcement with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Department of Health and Human Services unveiled new initiatives focused on autism, including research into acetaminophen and the drug leucovorin.
There is no scientific evidence to support this claim. Across specialties—from obstetricians and pediatricians, to emergency physicians, family doctors, maternal-fetal medicine specialists and autism researchers—the consensus is clear: Acetaminophen is safe to use during pregnancy when clinically needed, and claims linking it to autism are unfounded.
But don’t just take it from us. Here is what leading medical organizations and scientific experts say about the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy—in their own words.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
Steven J. Fleischman, MD, MBA, FACOG, president of ACOG:
“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, including those who may need to rely on this beneficial medicine during pregnancy.
“Today’s announcement by HHS is not backed by the full body of scientific evidence and dangerously simplifies the many and complex causes of neurologic challenges in children. It is highly unsettling that our federal health agencies are willing to make an announcement that will affect the health and well-being of millions of people without the backing of reliable data.
“In more than two decades of research on the use of acetaminophen in pregnancy, not a single reputable study has successfully concluded that the use of acetaminophen in any trimester of pregnancy causes neurodevelopmental disorders in children. In fact, the two highest-quality studies on this subject—one of which was published in JAMA last year—found no significant associations between use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and children’s risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability.
“…Acetaminophen is one of the few options available to pregnant patients to treat pain and fever, which can be harmful to pregnant people when left untreated. Maternal fever, headaches as an early sign of preeclampsia, and pain are all managed with the therapeutic use of acetaminophen, making acetaminophen essential to the people who need it.”
Read ACOG’s full statement on their website.
National Medical Association (NMA)
“Yesterday’s announcement regarding the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy being linked to autism is both confusing and potentially harmful for our parents, pregnant mothers, and our unborn babies. As an organization that has fought for health equity for more than 130 years and represents the interests of more than 50,000 Black physicians across the U.S., we are deeply concerned by the continued promulgation of medical and scientific misinformation by our country’s federal agencies.
“The National Medical Association strongly encourages families to work closely with their trusted physicians to determine what is best for them and their children. Acetaminophen has long been used safely in pregnancy, including for the treatment of high fevers. In fact, other pain medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen have documented neonatal risk. While research on Tylenol’s impact on unborn children remains inconclusive, the evidence is clear that untreated high fevers during pregnancy can cause serious harm to both the mother and baby.
“…We urge all Americans to make their health care decisions in partnership with their healthcare providers, guided by science and evidence. The National Medical Association stands firmly with individuals and families affected by autism, uplifting their voices and experiences.”
Read the full statement from the National Medical Association.
American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP)
“Tylenol (acetaminophen) is the most effective and safe first-line treatment for fever and acute pain in pregnant women who present to the emergency department, both of which can be harmful if left untreated.
“Emergency physicians must align around clear, evidence-based guidance for patients. The data from numerous studies have shown that acetaminophen is safe and effective.
“As always, any medication taken during pregnancy should be used only as needed, in moderation, and after the pregnant patient has consulted with their doctor.”
Read ACEP’s guidance on acetaminophen during pregnancy.
American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
“There is also no credible body of evidence linking acetaminophen (commonly known as Tylenol) use in pregnancy to autism. The claim is unfounded and has been refuted by rigorous studies and systematic reviews.
“Family physicians join individuals with autism and their families and caregivers in wanting to fully understand the causes of autism, why the prevalence of autism is increasing and how to support individuals with autism. Continuing to promote myths about a vaccine-autism or acetaminophen-autism distracts from research and resources that will benefit people living with autism.”
Read the American Academy of Family Physicians’ full statement.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
“Today’s White House event on autism was filled with dangerous claims and misleading information that sends a confusing message to parents and expecting parents and does a disservice to autistic individuals.
“…Regarding autism, we know it is complex, highly variable and increasingly linked to genetics. There is no single, root cause of autism, and there is no single medication that will give every autistic child or adult what they need. Individualized plans, often involving a combination of developmental, behavioral, educational and social-relational strategies, can help improve outcomes that are meaningful to individuals and families.”
Read the American Academy of Pediatrics’ full statement.
Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM)
“It is important to understand that untreated fever and pain during pregnancy carry significant maternal and infant health risks. Untreated fever, particularly in the first trimester, increases the risk of miscarriage, birth defects, and premature birth, and untreated pain can lead to maternal depression, anxiety, and high blood pressure.
“A thorough review of the existing research that suggests a potential link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and an increased risk of autism and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) in children does not establish a causal relationship.
“At this time, the weight of scientific evidence that acetaminophen use during pregnancy causes an increased risk for autism or ADHD is simply inconclusive,” said SMFM President Sindhu K. Srinivas, MD, MSCE. “In maternal-fetal medicine, as in all of medicine, our recommendations are based on an evaluation of rigorous research and data, clinical expertise, and our patients’ values and preferences.”
Read the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s statement.
Coalition of Autism Scientists
“The September 22 press conference held by U.S. Health and Human Services alarms us researchers who committed our entire careers to better understanding autism. The data cited do not support the claim that Tylenol causes autism and leucovorin is a cure, and only stoke fear and falsely suggest hope when there is no simple answer.
“…While a recent summary analysis found some evidence for a weak association, it does not evaluate the quality of the studies informing the analysis. Importantly, these studies fail to address the fact that fevers during pregnancy are known to increase risk for autism, and that’s why mothers take acetaminophen in the first place. Rather, the most recent, rigorous study that controlled for unmeasured familiar risks found that acetaminophen did not cause autism.
“…Given that use of acetaminophen during pregnancy has not increased…over the past two decades alongside rates of autism, it’s clearly not the cause of the increased diagnoses of autism and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists agrees.
“…It is premature to claim that leucovorin is an effective treatment for autism and add autism as a secondary indication. Instead, we call for a well-designed, large scale clinical trial of leucovorin (folinic acid)…
“…Dozens of studies demonstrate the role vaccination plays to protect individuals, particularly the most vulnerable in our community, against potentially fatal diseases. There is no evidence that routine vaccinations have any connection to autism at all.
“…The Coalition of Autism Scientists will continue to speak factually and forcefully about the science that should inform our public understanding of autism and support autistic individuals and their families.”
Great Job Roxanne Szal & the Team @ Ms. Magazine Source link for sharing this story.
