President Donald Trump stirred up controversy on Monday when he warned that taking acetaminophen—better known as Tylenol—during pregnancy might sharply raise the risk of autism in babies. This claim goes against years of medical studies and expert advice that back the drug as safe for expecting moms, according to CNN.
From the Oval Office, Trump announced that the FDA would soon tell doctors to hold off on suggesting Tylenol for pregnant women, except when it’s truly needed, like to fight a fever. He even joked, “If you can’t tough it out.” Trump had support from key health officials, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, and CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz.
Experts, however, aren’t buying into the alarm. Researchers point out that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) stems from a mix of genetics and environment, and any possible tie to acetaminophen remains unclear and under study. The CDC and other groups have long dismissed links between childhood vaccines and autism, despite Trump’s side comment calling for delays in shots like the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns. He argued that “too many different things are going into that baby,” but offered no proof.
Tylenol’s maker, Kenvue, fired back in a Sunday statement: “Acetaminophen is the safest pain reliever option for pregnant women as needed throughout their entire pregnancy.” They warned that skipping it could force moms into tough spots, like enduring fevers that harm both parent and child, or turning to more dangerous meds. Kenvue stressed that over a decade of solid research, backed by top doctors and global health watchdogs, shows no real connection to autism.
The FDA keeps a calmer approach. In a recent note to doctors, they said no solid proof links prenatal acetaminophen use to autism in kids, while noting some conflicting studies. Kennedy added that HHS plans a public awareness push on the topic and encouraged doctors to use their best judgment with patients. Kenvue had already chatted with HHS officials this month, urging pregnant women to talk to their doctors before grabbing any over-the-counter painkillers.
On a brighter note for autism treatment, the FDA greenlit prescription leucovorin—a form of high-dose calcium folinic acid often used in chemo—for some children with autism. They also okayed Wellcovorin, a GSK brand of leucovorin, after adding data on cerebral folate deficiency (CFD), a issue with low folate in the brain and spinal cord fluid.
Autism diagnoses keep climbing. The CDC reports about 1 in 31 kids had ASD by age 8 in 2022, compared to 1 in 36 in 2020 and 1 in 68 back in 2015. Why the rise? Better awareness, wider screening for early help, and an expanded definition since 2013 make families more open to seeking diagnoses. Early catch can boost kids’ skills long-term.
Dr. Peter Hotez, a pediatrician at Texas Children’s Hospital’s Center for Vaccine Development and dad to a daughter with autism, explained the complexity. “Autism involves at least 100 genes, just like different cancers have multiple ones,” he told CNN. “It’s multifactorial—no single ‘smoking gun’ causes or cures it.” Hotez, who’s written a book on autism, added, “As a parent, you crave simple answers, but it’s not that easy. So many factors play in, and it’s tough to nail down.”
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