British experts have slammed “fearmongering” in the US after reports emerged that Donald Trump’s administration will claim there is a connection between paracetamol use during pregnancy and autism. Scientists have struck back, with one stating the assertion “risks stigmatising families who have autistic children as having brought it on themselves”.
The Wall Street Journal revealed that US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr is anticipated to declare Tylenol – known as paracetamol in the UK – as a potential trigger for autism. The publication indicated that a federal report is also set to recommend a particular form of the vitamin folate as a treatment for the condition.
Mr Trump said on Saturday: “I think we found an answer to autism.”
In the UK, the NHS website states “paracetamol is the first choice of painkiller if you’re pregnant. It’s commonly taken during pregnancy and does not harm your baby”.
Dr Monique Botha, associate professor in social and developmental psychology at Durham University, explained: “There are many studies which refute a link, but the most important was a Swedish study of 2.4 million births published in 2024 which used actual sibling data and found no relationship between exposure to paracetamol in utero and subsequent autism, ADHD or intellectual disability. This suggests no causal effect of paracetamol in autism.”
‘No evidence’
Dr Botha added: “There is no robust evidence or convincing studies to suggest there is any causal relationship and any conclusions being drawn to the contrary are often motivated, under-evidenced, and unsupported by the most robust methods to answering this question. I am exceptionally confident in saying that no relationship exists.
“Similarly, pain relief for pregnant women is woefully lacking and paracetamol is a much safer pain relief option during pregnancy than basically any other alternative and we need to take pain seriously for women, including whilst pregnant.
“The fearmongering will prevent women from accessing the appropriate care during pregnancy. Further, it risks stigmatising families who have autistic children as having brought it on themselves and reinvigorates the long pattern of maternal shame and blame as we’ve seen re-emerge repeatedly over the last 70 years where we try to pay the fault of autism at the mother’s door one way or another.”
‘Undue focus’
Dimitrios Siassakos, professor in obstetrics and gynaecology at University College London and honorary consultant in obstetrics at University College London Hospital (UCLH), commented: “Autism results from several factors, often combined, particularly genetic predisposition, and sometimes low oxygen at the time of birth as a result of complications.
“Research has shown that any apparent marginal increase as a result of paracetamol/acetaminophen use in pregnancy tends to disappear when the analyses take into account the factors that matter most. For example, in studies looking at siblings, any association disappeared – it was the family history that mattered and not the use of paracetamol. Undue focus on paracetamol would risk preventing families from using one of the safest medications to use in pregnancy when needed.”