Dr. David Amaral, who led autism research at UC Davis for almost three decades, was aware prior to Monday’s federal declaration regarding the alleged cause of autism that President Trump and his health secretary intended to focus on acetaminophen.
The health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., had previously stated this year that he intended to identify the cause behind an “unprecedented” increase in autism cases in the U.S., and speculation started to spread that he had identified acetaminophen, widely known as Tylenol, as a primary factor. The medication had been researched for years as one of many possible contributors to autism.
Amaral and other autism specialists were familiar with the studies, and they understood that the findings were uncertain — there was no clear evidence linking acetaminophen to the neurodevelopmental condition.
They were also aware that the Trump administration had a track record of disregarding scientific evidence. Therefore, it came as no surprise when Trump and Kennedy, during a press conference on Monday, advised pregnant women to steer clear of the medication. However, what did catch people off guard was the intensity of Trump’s advice: “Fight like hell not to take it,” the president declared. “Tough it out.”
‘Outrage’ is not an overly strong term for the emotions I experienced while listening to that press conference,” stated Amaral, who has served as research director at UC Davis’s MIND Institute since its founding by a group of parents of children with autism in 1998. “I was stunned by the extent of misinformation that was shared. And I was surprised by the indifferent and insensitive attitude.
Women who are pregnant and experiencing pain or a fever should keep taking acetaminophen — this is the main point that obstetricians, public health authorities, and specialists in neurodevelopmental conditions aim to communicate following the recent shocking statement from the White House this week.
The medication has been extensively researched, and although scientists have discovered some indications of a link between using Tylenol during pregnancy and autism, this does not imply that one leads to the other. “Women who are pregnant and take Tylenol might have a fever, and it is the fever, rather than the Tylenol, that poses the issue,” explained Dr. Lawrence Fung, a psychiatrist from Stanford and head of the Stanford Neurodiversity Project, who focuses on autism research.
Significantly, the biggest study examining acetaminophen and autism, carried out on 2.5 million children in Sweden and released last year, discovered no link between the two when they analyzed children who were born to the same mother.
It’s the most comprehensive study conducted to date with the highest number of participants, and it found no link,” stated Dr. John Swartzberg, an expert in infectious diseases at UC Berkeley. “I am confident in advising parents that they need not be concerned about Tylenol when used as directed.
Kennedy and Trump also mentioned an “unprecedented” rise in the country’s autism diagnoses, suggesting that there may be an environmental factor contributing to this growth. However, autism specialists pointed out that much of the increase can be attributed to changes in diagnostic practices, such as broadening the standards used to identify autism. According to the latest federal data from 2022, approximately 1 in 31 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism.
Although there has been a rise in autism cases over the last twenty years, Swartzberg pointed out that Tylenol usage has not changed during this period. “Over 50% of women in the United States have been using something similar to Tylenol, and this has remained consistent for many decades,” he stated. “If you’re going to claim something as responsible for the growing number of autism cases, you would expect it to be increasing at a similar pace during the same time frame.”
Similar to Amaral, Swartzberg mentioned he wasn’t surprised by the administration’s attempt to connect Tylenol with autism, but he was concerned about the rejection of scientific data and the neglect of women’s concerns. Swartzberg emphasized the importance of researching acetaminophen, which initially raised questions about a possible link to autism around ten years ago, stating, “it was studied and found not to be a problem.”
All of this is completely unnecessary,” Swartzberg stated. “It’s fake science being pushed by our government. We’re witnessing the deliberate undermining of the scientific method. It truly bothers me.
The remarks made by the Trump administration led to swift criticism from professional organizations and public agencies, such as the California Department of Public Health. “We are witnessing the federal government offering straightforward solutions to complicated problems and making misleading statements that could be damaging,” California officials stated in reaction to the acetaminophen-related claims.
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology described the administration’s statements as “unwise.”
Autism specialists believe there is almost certainly not a single, definitive cause for autism. They have discovered over 200 genes linked to the development of autism, and the disorder is likely the result of a complex mix of genetic tendencies and environmental influences.
In the meantime, acetaminophen is among the few medications deemed safe for women to use during pregnancy to address fevers and discomfort. Uncontrolled fevers can lead to developmental issues in the baby. Medical professionals emphasize that there’s no justification for women to suffer from aches and pains, particularly during pregnancy, when they don’t have to.
We already place a lot of demands on individuals with uteruses during pregnancy,” said Dr. Anne Waldrop, a Stanford obstetrician who focuses on high-risk pregnancies. “There is no evidence to indicate that for patients experiencing headaches, aches, or pains during pregnancy and requiring pain relief, this should not be their preferred treatment.
For Waldrop, the indifferent harshness of Monday’s press conference was what most surprised her, such as advising women to “tough it out” rather than acknowledging their concerns. Women already experience significant stress and judgment throughout their pregnancy, and many constantly doubt every substance they consume, whether it’s a daily supplement or a non-prescription medication.
Tylenol is their top choice for managing pain and fevers, Waldrop stated, and providing women with incorrect information or guidance that contradicts what they’re being told by their own physicians is not beneficial.
I experience a great deal of empathy for my patients who are dealing with what used to be a straightforward choice and are now feeling scared and uncertain,” Waldrop stated. “There are numerous instances in my work where there are genuine gray areas and tough decisions must be made. I regret that we now have to revisit a topic that the scientific evidence clearly supports.
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