Donald Trump’s recent statements have sparked controversy after he made a bold assertion linking autism to the use of paracetamol in the United States.
Trump announced that he intended to disclose the ’cause’ of autism, organizing an entire press conference to convey this information to the American public.
In the briefing, he claimed that while autism used to affect one in 10,000 children, the rate has now surged to one in 31 in certain parts of America.
This claim overlooks the substantial increase in autism diagnoses over the past decades.
Trump, along with other officials, suggested a potential connection between this increase and the use of Tylenol. Tylenol is a widely used pain reliever in the US, with acetaminophen (known as paracetamol in countries like the UK) as its main component.
The former president mentioned that the FDA is ‘strongly recommending that women limit Tylenol use during pregnancy unless medically necessary’ and indicated that the agency will inform physicians of this guidance.
He further stated his personal belief that pregnant women should completely refrain from using it.
In response, Tylenol issued a statement refuting Trump’s assertions regarding its association with autism.
The statement read: “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.”
Medical professionals across the globe have also responded to Trump’s statements, providing their own insights on the safety of paracetamol during pregnancy.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists offers specific guidelines on the safe use of pain relievers.
In their FAQ section concerning acetaminophen use in pregnancy, it states: “ACOG supports the use of acetaminophen in pregnancy when taken as needed, in moderation, and after consultation with a doctor.
“Acetaminophen has long been established as a safe pain reliever and fever reducer for use during pregnancy.”
The Food and Drug Administration has also advised that pregnant women should avoid certain painkillers during their second trimester.
The FDA advises: “The FDA advises pregnant people not to take aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) after 19 weeks of pregnancy. Taking these medicines could cause rare but serious kidney conditions in a fetus.”
However, the FDA has not issued any warnings against the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and does not suggest that any of these pain relievers are linked to autism.
Comments have been sought from Tylenol for further clarification.