The Trump administration announced on Monday it plans to link acetaminophen, commonly sold as Tylenol, to an increased risk of autism when used during pregnancy. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and President Donald Trump cited this connection amid rising U.S. autism diagnoses, with the administration also promoting leucovorin, a folate vitamin derivative, as a potential autism treatment.
This marks the first time the federal government publicly associates the widely used pain reliever with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a complex neurodevelopmental condition affecting social communication, behavior, and language development. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 31 American 8-year-olds were diagnosed with autism in 2022, up from 1 in 150 in 2000.
President Trump described the announcement as “one of the most significant things we will undertake,” emphasizing the administration’s focus on environmental factors contributing to autism. Kennedy, who has a history of advocating controversial views on vaccines and environmental toxins, expressed belief that acetaminophen use during pregnancy is a “significant factor” in rising autism rates.
Scientific Experts Push Back on Claims
Medical experts and researchers caution that the scientific evidence linking acetaminophen in pregnancy to autism remains inconclusive and heavily debated. A comprehensive study published in 2024 tracking nearly 2.5 million Swedish children over 25 years found no increased risk of autism after genetic and environmental factors were controlled.
“The majority of scientific research shows no credible evidence that acetaminophen causes autism,” said Dr. Nathaniel DeNicola, advisor to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “Judicious use of acetaminophen remains a safe option for pregnant women.”
Tylenol’s manufacturer, Kenvue, issued a statement asserting, “Over a decade of rigorous research, endorsed by global health regulators, confirms there is no credible link between acetaminophen use and autism.”
The Autism Science Foundation’s President Alison Singer highlighted that autism is largely genetic with complex causes and warned against oversimplified claims. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) continues funding research into autism’s multifactorial origins.
Broader Controversy and Political Context
Critics say the Trump administration’s announcement may represent another instance of politicizing science, especially given Kennedy’s history of discredited claims regarding vaccines and autism. Many scientific organizations emphasize the need for more research rather than public warnings based on preliminary evidence.
The administration also links folate deficiency to autism and proposes leucovorin as a treatment for some symptoms, an approach currently lacking robust clinical validation.
What Pregnant Women Should Know
Medical professionals still advise caution with any medication during pregnancy but emphasize that untreated fever or pain can pose risks to both mother and child. Acetaminophen remains the preferred pain relief option during pregnancy over alternatives like ibuprofen, which carry known risks.
Further reading :
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- NPR: Trump admin expected to link autism to Tylenol use during pregnancy
- Politico: Trump administration to link Tylenol use to risk of autism
- CBS News: Tylenol maker and medical experts push back on autism claims
- JAMA study on acetaminophen and autism risk: JAMA article
- Autism Science Foundation: Research shows no causal link
- Tylenol FAQ’s Re: media coverage of this subject: https://www.tylenol.com/frequently-asked-questions#concerned-about-acetaminophen-and-autism
