Trump and RFK Jr. still wrong about Tylenol and autism, another study finds

A recent comprehensive study has reaffirmed that there is no association between the use of Tylenol during pregnancy and the development of autism in children. This research counters previous assertions made by former President Donald Trump and health activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who claimed without substantial evidence that the widely used pain reliever, acetaminophen, could lead to autism if taken by pregnant women. In a press conference held in September, Trump advised pregnant individuals to avoid Tylenol, suggesting they should endure pain rather than use this medication. His comments drew significant criticism from medical professionals, who highlighted that acetaminophen is generally regarded as a safe option for treating pain and fever during pregnancy. They cautioned that not addressing fever during pregnancy can actually heighten the risk of autism, along with other serious complications such as miscarriage and premature birth. Despite the backlash, the impact of Trump's statements was notable. Following his comments, a Texas lawsuit was filed against the manufacturer of Tylenol over the supposed link to autism. Additionally, a study published in The Lancet found that the use of acetaminophen among pregnant patients in emergency settings decreased by 10% post-press conference. The latest research, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, involved an analysis of electronic health records spanning from 2001 to 2023, covering over 700,000 mother-child pairs in Hong Kong. The findings revealed that approximately 43% of these children had been exposed to acetaminophen in utero, further emphasizing the lack of evidence for any correlation with autism.