Overview
In a White House Press conference on September 22, President Donald Trump warned pregnant women not to take Tylenol because of its link to autism. Tylenol is one of the most widely used drugs during pregnancy. In fact, the NIH claims that between 40-65% women use acetaminophen (also known as Tylenol) during their pregnancy.
Where Does Trump's Claim Come From?
The U.S Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert J. Kennedy Jr., has prioritized finding the possible causes of autism during his term. Published reports have previously raised questions about acetaminophen use during pregnancy: Could the use of this drug increase the risk of neurodevelopmental conditions like autism? Some studies have associations between the two, but experts say these studies were not conclusive.
The Truth?
The truth is, we do not know for sure whether there is a link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and neurological conditions. However, many research and studies have found no association. The studies that did find associations between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental issues were not conclusive and failed to take into account the other possible factors. For example, pregnant women experiencing many fevers during pregnancy might take more acetaminophen. Fevers are known to cause increased risk of neurodevelopmental delays. Therefore, the association would be between fevers and neurodevelopmental issues rather than Tylenol.
A study funded by the National Institutes of Health was conducted in 2024 and looked at over 2 million children. This study compared siblings whose parents took acetaminophen during pregnancy with one but not the other sibling. It was found that there was no correlation. This study is much more accurate than the past ones because siblings share different variables like genetics and environmental exposures. Autism is a genetic disorder, which means it is passed down through families. Donald Trump also mentions a rise in cases of autism, which is true. However, autism was first recognized as a condition in 1943. This means that there was most likely just a lack of research and underdiagnosis of this disorder. Now that people are getting properly diagnosed, it looks like a much larger increase in people with autism.
Overall
Overall, it is very important not to believe everything you hear, even if it is said by a prominent figure. Do your research and trust actual scientific studies. It is also important to listen to your doctors and do what is best for your own health.
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