United States President Donald Trump has faced significant criticism from medical professionals after asserting an unverified connection between the use of Tylenol during pregnancy and autism in children.
During a Monday address in the Oval Office, Trump claimed that American physicians would soon be advised against prescribing Tylenol to pregnant women. He cautioned that Paracetamol-its name outside North America-is “not safe” and urged expectant mothers to reserve its use strictly for severe fevers.
These statements were met with immediate disapproval from health experts both domestically and internationally.
UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting openly rejected Trump’s assertions, stating, “I place my trust in medical professionals rather than President Trump on this matter.”
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) also issued a strong rebuttal. Dr. Steven Fleischman, ACOG’s president, emphasized that the alleged link “lacks comprehensive scientific support and oversimplifies the multifaceted origins of neurological conditions in children.”
ACOG further clarified, “Existing research does not provide definitive proof of a direct association between responsible acetaminophen use during any stage of pregnancy and developmental problems in fetuses.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a more measured statement than Trump’s, recommending that healthcare providers weigh the risks and benefits of Tylenol use during pregnancy, while still recognizing it as the safest option for managing pain and fever in pregnant patients.
“Although multiple studies have noted a correlation between acetaminophen and autism, no causal link has been conclusively established, and some research contradicts these findings,” the FDA noted.
Appearing alongside Trump, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced plans for the FDA to initiate a labeling update for Tylenol and to launch a public awareness campaign. He also revealed that the agency would soon approve leucovorin, a long-standing cancer medication, for treating certain children with autism.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary explained that the approval would be grounded in preliminary studies indicating leucovorin might improve verbal skills in tylenol-autism-cuba-free/” title=”…s Shocking … Claim: What Really Causes … – Is Cuba Truly …-Free? | Donald Trump News”>autistic children with folate deficiencies, though experts urge caution given the early stage of this research.
Kenvue, the company behind Tylenol, categorically denied the president’s claims. In a statement to the BBC, they expressed, “We strongly refute any such allegations and are deeply concerned about the potential health implications for pregnant women.”
Scientific opinions on this topic remain divided. A comprehensive review published in August by Harvard’s Chan School of Public Health analyzed 46 studies, with 27 suggesting a possible association between prenatal Tylenol exposure and neurodevelopmental disorders. Conversely, a 2024 Swedish study involving 2.4 million children found no evidence supporting this link.
Monique Botha, a professor of social and developmental psychology at Durham University, UK, remarked, “There is no compelling or conclusive evidence to indicate a causal relationship.”
The National Autistic Society also criticized Trump’s remarks, labeling them “irresponsible” and accusing him of undermining the value of autistic individuals. “The persistent spread of misinformation about autism by President Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. threatens to erode decades of rigorous scientific research,” the organization stated.
For many pregnant women, the announcement sparked anxiety. Haley Drenon, a 29-year-old expectant mother from Austin, Texas, commented, “Without proper context, this kind of news can cause unnecessary worry. The headlines don’t reflect the fact that the evidence is far from definitive.”
Autism diagnoses have surged in recent years, with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting a prevalence rate of 2.77% among 8-year-olds in 2020. Experts attribute this rise to increased awareness and broader diagnostic criteria, emphasizing that autism results from a complex interplay of genetic and environmental influences.
Both Trump and Kennedy have a history of promoting controversial and scientifically disputed claims regarding autism.
