WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to link the common pain reliever Tylenol (acetaminophen) to autism at an Oval Office event Monday, a claim that has sparked alarm among medical experts who warn there is no clear proof of such a connection.
Trump teased an “amazing announcement” about autism at a Sunday memorial event, calling the condition “out of control” and suggesting that a possible cause may have been found. Media reports say he will advise pregnant women to use Tylenol only for high fevers.
Some studies have suggested an association between prenatal acetaminophen use and autism, but researchers stress these findings are inconsistent and do not prove causation. A major review from Harvard’s Chan School of Public Health last year urged moderation but still recommended Tylenol as important for treating maternal fever and pain, which can also harm fetal development if left untreated.
Tylenol maker Kenvue strongly rejected the claims, saying: “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.”
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reaffirmed that Tylenol is one of the only safe pain relievers during pregnancy and said decades of data show “no clear evidence” of harm when used prudently.
Autism rates among U.S. children have risen sharply in recent decades, now affecting nearly 3% of eight-year-olds, but experts attribute much of the increase to better awareness and broader diagnostic criteria. Scientists continue to study environmental and genetic factors, but most say there is no single cause.