President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently announced a controversial link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and the risk of autism in children. They also introduced leucovorin, a vitamin B derivative, as a potential treatment for reducing autism symptoms, despite limited scientific backing.
Acetaminophen, commonly used for pain and fever relief in pregnancy, is widely regarded by medical professionals as safe when used appropriately. Medical societies such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists continue to recommend it, stating there is “no clear evidence linking acetaminophen use during pregnancy to developmental problems.”
However, the administration warned pregnant women to avoid the medication unless absolutely necessary, which presents challenges given limited safe alternatives.
Kennedy, known for questioning vaccine safety, pledged to identify the causes of autism by September 2025, linking it to environmental factors including acetaminophen. Trump called the announcement groundbreaking, stating, “I think we found an answer to autism.”
Scientific research has found associations between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and neurodevelopmental disorders but has not established causation. Large reviews and sibling studies, controlling for genetic and environmental factors, find no clear causal link. Diddier Prada, lead author on a major review, noted, “We show acetaminophen is associated with a higher risk, but not causing it.”
Experts warn against discouraging acetaminophen use without conclusive evidence, as untreated fever and pain during pregnancy can harm both mother and child. Kenvue, Tylenol’s manufacturer, labelled the claims as unfounded and stressed the importance of safe pain relief options in pregnancy.
Critics argue the announcement oversimplifies the complex causes of autism, which involve multiple genetic and environmental influences. Alycia Halladay of the Autism Science Foundation called the link “disingenuous and misleading,” urging for nuanced research.
While the administration claims acetaminophen as a possible factor in autism and promotes leucovorin treatment, the scientific community remains unconvinced. Autism’s causes are multifaceted, and acetaminophen is still considered safe when used properly in pregnancy. Pregnant women should consult healthcare providers to balance treatment benefits and risks carefully.