The Trump administration plans to announce a disputed connection between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism development, according to multiple media reports, despite widespread scientific skepticism about such claims.
President Trump is expected to advise pregnant women Monday during an Oval Office event to use Tylenol only for treating high fevers, not routine pain relief. The announcement follows Trump’s Sunday statement promising an “amazing” autism revelation, calling the condition “out of control” while suggesting officials may have identified a cause.
The scientific community remains divided on any connection between acetaminophen (Tylenol’s active ingredient) and autism. While some studies have suggested potential links, research findings remain inconsistent and inconclusive, failing to establish definitive causation.
Kenvue, Tylenol’s manufacturer, strongly disputed any autism connection in a statement. “We believe independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism,” the company said, expressing concern about health risks for expecting mothers who might avoid necessary pain relief.
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology identifies Tylenol as one of the few safe pain relievers for pregnant women, stating that studies show “no clear evidence that proves a direct relationship between the prudent use of acetaminophen during any trimester and fetal developmental issues.”
Research remains contradictory on the topic. An August review led by Harvard University’s Chan School of Public Health suggested children might face higher autism risks when exposed to Tylenol during pregnancy, though researchers emphasized the medication’s importance for treating maternal fever and pain. However, a 2024 study found no relationship between Tylenol exposure and autism development.
“There is no robust evidence or convincing studies to suggest there is any causal relationship,” said Monique Botha, a professor in social and developmental psychology at Durham University. Botha noted that pain relief options for pregnant women are “woefully lacking,” with Tylenol representing one of the only safe alternatives.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pledged in April to conduct “a massive testing and research effort” to determine autism causes within five months. However, experts caution that identifying autism causes, a complex condition researched for decades, cannot be accomplished quickly.
The scientific consensus holds that autism results from complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors rather than a single cause. Autism diagnoses have increased sharply since 2000, reaching 2.77% among 8-year-olds by 2020, according to the CDC.
Scientists attribute rising diagnosis rates primarily to increased awareness and expanded definitions of autism spectrum disorders, though environmental factors continue being investigated.
Kennedy has previously promoted debunked theories linking vaccines to autism despite overwhelming scientific evidence disproving such connections.
The administration’s expected announcement could create confusion among pregnant women about safe pain management options, potentially leading some to avoid necessary medication or use riskier alternatives.
Major medical organizations and international health authorities continue recommending acetaminophen as the safest pain relief option for pregnant women when used appropriately.
