Donald Trump links acetaminophen in pregnancy to autism, doctors reject claim

US President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that the use of acetaminophen commonly known as Tylenol during pregnancy could be associated with a very increased risk of autism a statement that contradicts decades of medical research and expert consensus supporting the safety of the drug for pregnant women CNN reportedSpeaking from the Oval Office Trump stated that the US Food and Drug Administration FDA would soon notify physicians to limit the recommendation of Tylenol during pregnancy unless medically necessary such as for the treatment of fever adding if you cant tough it out According to CNN researchers broadly agree that autism spectrum disorder ASD is caused by a complex combination of genetic and environmental factors and the data regarding any potential link between acetaminophen and autism remains inconclusive and evolvingIn a statement on Sunday Tylenol manufacturer Kenvue said Acetaminophen is the safest pain reliever option for pregnant women as needed throughout their entire pregnancy Without it women face dangerous choices suffer through conditions like fever that are potentially harmful to both mom and baby or use riskier alternativesTrump was joined at the announcement by US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr FDA Commissioner Marty Makary NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya and CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz During the briefing Trump also questioned existing childhood vaccine protocols calling for delays in the administration of vaccines like the hepatitis B shot which is currently given to newborns He suggested that too many different things are going into that baby though he provided no scientific evidence to support his claimMedical experts and health agencies including the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention CDC have consistently found no link between childhood vaccinations and autism Numerous peerreviewed studies have thoroughly debunked such theoriesIn contrast to Trumps strong warnings the FDAs current position remains more measured In a recent letter to physicians the agency stated that a causal relationship has not been established between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism and acknowledged the existence of contrary studies in the scientific literatureKennedy stated that the Department of Health and Human Services HHS is planning a public education campaign regarding the use of acetaminophen in pregnancy He urged clinicians to rely on their professional judgment in advising patientsEarlier this month Tylenol manufacturer Kenvue stated that it had held a scientific exchange with HHS officials on the matter and advised pregnant women to consult their healthcare provider before using any overthecounter medication Acetaminophen is the safest pain reliever option for pregnant women as needed throughout their entire pregnancy the company said in a statement Sunday cited CNNWithout it women face dangerous choices suffer through conditions like fever that are potentially harmful to both mom and baby or use riskier alternatives The facts are that over a decade of rigorous research endorsed by leading medical professionals and global health regulators confirms there is no credible evidence linking acetaminophen to autism We stand with the many public health and medical professionals who have reviewed this science and agreeMeanwhile CNN reported that the FDA has approved prescription leucovorin a highdose calcium folinic acid typically used in chemotherapy for treatment in some children with autism The agency also reinstated approval for Wellcovorin a branded version of leucovorin produced by GSK after requesting the inclusion of data related to cerebral folate deficiency CFD a condition involving low folate levels in the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cordThe FDA requested that GSK submit a new application to include data on cerebral folate deficiency CFD a condition in which there is a low level of folate in the cerebrospinal fluid the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord The number of people diagnosed with autism has been rising About 1 in 31 children were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder by age 8 in 2022 up from 1 in 36 in 2020 according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention In 2015 it was 1 in 68 childrenExperts attribute this increase to several factors In 2013 the psychiatric community broadened its definition of autism awareness of symptoms has grown and acceptance of the diagnosis has increased making parents more willing to seek help There has also been a concerted effort to screen more young children for autism as early intervention can significantly improve symptoms and longterm skillsJust as there are multiple genes involved in different cancers at least 100 genes are involved in autism Dr Peter Hotez a pediatrician and codirector of the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Childrens Hospital stressed that the causes of autism are highly multifactorial He noted that claiming a single smoking gun that can cure or cause autism would be irresponsibleSo for every different autism gene theres really a different form of autism and its unlikely that a single unifying chemical agent is going to be able to address even a small proportion of those 100plus autism genes Hotez who has a daughter with autism and has written a book on the condition told CNN on Monday Look I say this as the parent of a child with autism You want a simple answer right But what is so clear is that there is not always a simple answer There are so many things to consider and it is very hard to pin down he addedThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever