Last Updated:
The proposal has alarmed doctors who say clinical experience and large-scale studies have found acetaminophen to be generally safe during pregnancy when used as directed
The government will likely recommend that pregnant women, particularly in the first trimester, avoid routine use of acetaminophen and instead reserve it for high fevers or when no safer alternatives are available. (Reuters)
The Donald Trump administration is preparing to issue a new advisory on the use of acetaminophen, better known by its brand name Tylenol, during pregnancy, linking the drug to a possible increased risk of autism in children. The move, first reported by The Washington Post and Politico, is expected to be announced formally in the coming days.
According to officials, the government will recommend that pregnant women, particularly in the first trimester, avoid routine use of acetaminophen and instead reserve it for high fevers or when no safer alternatives are available. US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, a long-time critic of pharmaceutical safety standards, is expected to lead the announcement.
Recommended Stories
The advisory is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to re-examine environmental and maternal health factors that could be contributing to rising autism rates in the United States. Recent federal estimates suggest that one in 31 American eight-year-olds is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, a figure higher than in many other developed nations.
In addition to discouraging acetaminophen use, the administration is also expected to highlight preliminary research into leucovorin (a form of folinic acid) as a potential therapy for children already diagnosed with autism, Politico reported.
Medical Consensus at Odds
The proposal has alarmed many in the medical community who stress that decades of clinical experience and large-scale studies have found acetaminophen to be generally safe during pregnancy when used as directed.
An explainer published by The Guardian noted that professional bodies such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the UK’s Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RCOG) continue to endorse acetaminophen as the safest first-line option for pain and fever relief during pregnancy. Experts warn that untreated high fevers themselves can increase risks of miscarriage, preterm birth, and developmental problems.
While some observational studies in recent years have suggested a statistical association between prenatal acetaminophen use and autism or ADHD, researchers caution that these findings do not prove causation. A major Swedish study involving more than 2.5 million children, published in 2024, found no significant link once genetic and environmental factors were controlled for, according to The Guardian.
Kenvue, the manufacturer of Tylenol, has rejected claims of a causal link, pointing to the lack of conclusive evidence. “The totality of scientific research supports the safe use of acetaminophen during pregnancy,” the company said in a statement quoted by Politico.
Balancing Risk and Reassurance
While the administration frames the upcoming announcement as a precautionary step, medical experts warn that overstating risks could leave pregnant women without safe options for treating common conditions such as headaches or fevers.
For now, doctors advise that expectant mothers continue to follow existing guidance: using acetaminophen only when necessary, in the lowest effective dose, and for the shortest possible duration.
About the Author
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
United States of America (USA)
September 22, 2025, 14:04 IST
Loading comments…
Read More
