Trump officials are expected to link the use of pain reliever Tylenol in pregnant women to autism, according to US media reports. During an upcoming Oval Office event, the president will reportedly advise pregnant women in the US to only take Tylenol, known as paracetamol elsewhere, for relief from high fevers.
At a recent memorial service, Trump suggested an amazing announcement regarding autism, declaring that the issue was out of control, hinting at potential new insights.
While some studies have suggested a link between pregnant women taking Tylenol and autism, these findings are inconsistent and do not provide definitive proof that the drug causes autism. Tylenol, a widely used pain relief medication available in the US and Canada, contains acetaminophen, known as paracetamol outside of North America.
Kenvue, the manufacturer of Tylenol, has defended the drug's use during pregnancy. In a statement, they asserted, We believe independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism. We strongly disagree with any suggestion otherwise and are deeply concerned with the health risk this poses for expecting mothers. They further emphasized that Tylenol is the safest choice for pain relief during pregnancy.
The discussion around Tylenol began earlier this year when the leader of the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., initiated promises of extensive testing and research to determine autism's causes.
Experts caution, however, that identifying the causes of autism—recognized as a complex syndrome—can be immensely challenging and unlikely to yield a singular cause. Researchers widely suggest that autism results from an intricate interplay of genetic and environmental factors.
In light of the recent claims, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology has consistently endorsed Tylenol as one of the few safe pain relief options for pregnant women, stating that existing studies show no direct correlation between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and fetal developmental issues.
Despite some studies indicating a potential imperative to limit the drug's use, other research contradicts such claims, asserting that no causal relationship exists between Tylenol and autism.
This topic has gained prominence as autism diagnoses have increased significantly over the years. By 2020, the rate of autism among 8-year-olds in the US reached 2.77%, according to the CDC. Current research attributes part of this rise to increased awareness and an evolving definition of the condition, while investigations into various environmental factors continue.
Kennedy has previously propagated debunked theories associating vaccines with rising autism rates, despite a lack of scientific backing. As the debate continues, the ramifications of linking Tylenol use to autism could have profound implications for expectant mothers and medical guidance moving forward.
