President Donald Trump’s claim that taking Tylenol during pregnancy could cause autism in children was swiftly countered by the UK Health Secretary, who reassured expectant mothers they have absolutely nothing to worry about.
According to the BBC on Tuesday, UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting appeared on ITV’s Lorraine program, stating that he trusts doctors more than President Trump, and urged expectant mothers not to be influenced by his unfounded assertions.
The previous day, Trump had suggested that the pain reliever Tylenol (known as paracetamol in the UK) is not good for pregnant women, alleging a connection between the drug and autism. He claimed that U.S. doctors would be advised against prescribing Tylenol and that pregnant women should strongly resist taking it at all.
In response, Secretary Streeting emphasized that there is absolutely no link between pregnant women taking paracetamol and their children developing autism, none whatsoever. He also cited a large-scale Swedish study from last year involving 2.4 million children that found no such correlation.
Streeting advised to ignore what Trump says about medicine and follow the guidance of British doctors, scientists, and the National Health Service (NHS).
UK health authorities reaffirmed that paracetamol is the safest pain reliever for pregnant women. The NHS stated on its official website that it is the first choice of pain relief medication during pregnancy and is commonly used without harm to the baby.
In contrast, aspirin and ibuprofen are generally not recommended as they can affect fetal circulation, and untreated fever can also pose risks to the fetus.
The UK’s National Autistic Society strongly criticized Trump’s remarks, stating they spread fear. In a statement, the society called his comments dangerous, anti-scientific, and irresponsible, asserting that the Trump administration is undermining decades of accumulated research.
The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) also stated that there is no basis for the White House’s claims, affirming that paracetamol is recommended for pregnant women when taken as directed. They added that untreated pain and fever can pose risks to the fetus, so it’s crucial to manage these conditions appropriately.
Earlier, U.S. medical organizations also refuted Trump’s statements. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) stated that there is no clear evidence proving a direct relationship between acetaminophen use and fetal developmental issues. They noted that such claims oversimplify the complex nature of neurological problems in children.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicated that while they are considering limiting Tylenol use, they must also recognize it as the safest over-the-counter medication for treating fever and pain in pregnant women. The FDA explained that while some studies have suggested a link between acetaminophen and autism, causation has not been established, and there are studies contradicting this finding.
Trump and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are citing a literature review published in August to support their claims. This report analyzed 46 existing studies, with 27 reporting a correlation between acetaminophen use and increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, other studies found no significant correlation.
At the press conference, Secretary Kennedy announced that the FDA would initiate the process of revising safety warning labels for the drug and launch a public health campaign to raise awareness.
Kennedy has previously made unsubstantiated claims linking vaccines to the rise in autism. Trump has also made several scientifically unsupported medical claims, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.