US President Donald Trump’s recent claim that paracetamol, commonly known as Tylenol, could be linked to autism when taken during pregnancy has sparked widespread concern and condemnation from medical authorities. Trump warned that doctors in the US would soon be advised against prescribing the drug to pregnant women, stating it’s “no good” and urging women to “fight like hell” to take it only in cases of extreme fever. However, medical experts have pushed back firmly against Trump’s claims, citing a lack of robust evidence to support a causal relationship between paracetamol use and autism.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) emphasized that the claim is “not backed by the full body of scientific evidence” and “dangerously simplifies the many and complex causes of neurologic challenges in children”. Similarly, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) noted that while some studies suggest an association between acetaminophen and autism, a causal relationship has not been established. UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting dismissed Trump’s comments, saying, “I trust doctors over President Trump, frankly, on this”.
Tylenol’s manufacturer, Kenvue, also rejected Trump’s claim, stating they “strongly disagree with any suggestion otherwise” and expressing concern about the potential health risks for expecting mothers. Pregnant women, like Haley Drenon from Austin, Texas, have expressed unease over the announcement, citing the lack of irrefutable data to support Trump’s claims.
It’s worth noting that autism diagnoses have risen sharply in recent decades, with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting a 2.77% prevalence among 8-year-olds in 2020. Experts attribute this increase partly to growing awareness and expanded diagnostic criteria, emphasizing that autism arises from a complex mix of genetic and environmental factors.
