Doctors weigh in on Trump administration linking acetaminophen use in pregnancy to autism
Since President Dontald Trump said at a press conference alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. on Monday that taking acetaminophen during pregnancy was linked to a “very increased risk” of autism in children, several pregnant women have had questions for Dr. Lawrence Glad, an obstetrician and Director of Women’s and Pediatric Services at WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital.
“Patients are calling the hospital and my office, and they have questions, rightfully so, and they want to get some information,” said Glad, who expects to have more conversations about acetaminophen, including Tylenol, with expectant mothers in the future.
He and other obstetricians say they plan to continue recommending acetaminophen to pregnant women when needed, as they say the research does not support the claim that the medication, used to reduce pain and fever, is linked to autism.
Dr. Walter Fox , a gynecologist with Penn Highlands Gynecology, said that, as with any medication taken during pregnancy, it should be taken only as needed, and patients should not hesitate to consult with a medical professional.
“Our patients continue to reach out to their physicians, and although the recent White House communication has led to some confusion, we as physicians are always here to help guide and educate our patients and communities on what is best for their health,” said Fox.
The Autism Science Foundation issued a statement that based on existing data, there is not enough evidence to support a link between Tylenol and autism.
“Any association between acetaminophen and autism is based on limited, conflicting, and inconsistent science and is premature,” the foundation’s chief science officer said. “No new data or scientific studies were presented or shared.”
Locally, doctors are concerned Trump’s advice to “tough it out” rather than take Tylenol when in pain or ill will cause confusion and anxiety, and possibly prevent expectant mothers from getting the treatment they need.
Untreated fevers in pregnant women poses a danger and can cause adverse consequences for maternal and fetal health, according to medical experts.
“Untreated fever and pain during pregnancy can have detrimental effects on both mom and the baby,” said Fox. “Acetaminophen has been established as a safe pain reliever and fever reducer for use during pregnancy and currently presents less risks than other available treatments.”
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG) called the suggestion that acetaminophen use in pregnancy causes autism “not only highly concerning to clinicians but also irresponsible,” adding that the announcement “is not backed by the full body of scientific evidence and dangerously simplifies the many and complex causes of neurologic challenges in children.”
The statement also indicated that, over 20 years of research, there was “not a single reputable study” that has made a definitive link between acetaminophen and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism in children.
Meanwhile, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) reiterated its recommendation advising both physicians and patients that acetaminophen is an appropriate medication to treat pain and fever during pregnancy.
In a statement, SMFM said, “Despite assertions to the contrary, a thorough review of existing research suggesting a potential link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and an increased risk of autism and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children has not established a causal relationship.”
“To be clear, SMFM stands behind our recommendation that acetaminophen use during pregnancy has not been shown to cause or increase the risk of autism or other neurobehavioral problems in children,” the statement read.
SMFM said it supports continued research that includes pregnant patients to understand the potential causes of neurodevelopmental disabilities in children.
Dr. Michael M. Aziz, a maternal and fetal medicine obstetrician and gynecologist at Allegheny Health Network, said the best evidence does not show an association between acetaminophen and autism.
Some studies have shown a small link between taking acetaminophen during pregnancy and autism in children, but no consistent and reliable group of studies has proven a cause, Aziz said.
Aziz also cited a 2024 peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) that included more than 2 million children over more than 20 years, which found no association between acetaminophen taken in pregnancy and autism.
“Just to clarify, there was no new scientific information that came out of the press conference,” said Aziz. “The JAMA study is the highest-quality study available, and the best study available.”
He added, “I think for any scientific topic, we should stick with the experts, and the ACOG and SMFM have not recommended any changes” regarding the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy.
Monday’s announcement came months after Kennedy pledged to find the cause of rising rates of autism in the U.S.
Aziz said part of the reason rates of autism have risen is because our understanding of autism has increased and more children are tested for it.
“Autism and ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) are not going to have a simple answer or cure,” said Fox. “We will likely discover that autism has a multifactorial cause and effect related to medications, environmental factors and genetic factors.”
The Autism Science Foundation said it supports continued research into autism’s causes, and that more research needs to be done “before alarming families or suggesting steps that may not actually reduce risk.”
Said Glad, “We simply don’t know one single cause for autism. Let’s hope that over the next several decades, we find the cause. The advances are coming through medicine and science, knowledge is expanding every day.”