The White House recently sounded the alarm on one of the most popular drugs on the market, acetaminophen, commonly known as Tylenol, warning of potential dangers for pregnant women.
“Taking Tylenol is not good, I’ll say it. It is not good,” said President Trump, who, along with some members of his cabinet, claimed that using acetaminophen during pregnancy could increase the risk of autism in children.
However, doctors and medical experts contacted for this story say the science behind these claims does not add up.
“If you ask any researcher, a single cause [of autism] does not exist,” said the director of the University of Michigan Multidisciplinary Autism Program, Dr. Sarah Mohiuddin.
Autism impacts many American families.
New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that one in 31 children born in 2014 was diagnosed with autism — nearly five times the rate reported in 1992.
Despite the White House’s warnings, some medical groups are pushing back against the administration’s efforts.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists stated that “suggestions that acetaminophen use in pregnancy causes autism are not only highly concerning to clinicians but also irresponsible.”
Mohiuddin emphasized that autism is caused by multiple factors.
“This is not due to a single cause. It’s clear that the rise in the rate of autism is multi-factorial or due to multiple things combined,” said Mohiuddin.
Historically, Tylenol was considered the only over-the-counter medicine safe for pregnant women to manage pain.
Dr. Frank McGeorge noted there is no evidence to suggest that this is no longer the case.
“I think the problem here is that this has become a politicized topic when it totally should not be. There is something to be considered, but there is currently no proof that acetaminophen causes autism in any way at all,” said McGeorge.
Meanwhile, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supported the claims, announcing ongoing research by NIH teams that are testing multiple hypotheses related to the causes and treatments of autism.
“We promise transparency as they uncover the potential causes and treatments. We will notify the public of their progress,” said Kennedy Jr.
As the debate continues, experts urge caution and emphasize the need for evidence-based guidance for pregnant women regarding acetaminophen use.
Corewell Health physicians will continue to recommend Tylenol as a safe pain reliever for pregnant patients. All patients should consult with their health care provider before taking any medications.
Corwell Health