The Trump administration is poised to make a significant announcement later today regarding the potential risks associated with the use of acetaminophen—the active ingredient in Tylenol—during pregnancy. Officials are expected to claim that using acetaminophen could increase the risk of autism, despite the absence of conclusive scientific research that establishes a direct causal relationship. This announcement is part of a broader trend where the administration has questioned the scientific underpinnings of widely used medications, including vaccines and abortion-related drugs.
President Trump hinted at what he termed "one of the biggest announcements, really, medically, I think, in the history of our country," during a statement made Sunday night. He expressed optimism about finding a potential solution for autism, indicating that the upcoming press conference scheduled for Monday afternoon will reveal these claims. This latest endeavor follows a series of controversial statements and initiatives aimed at redefining accepted medical guidelines and scientific understanding.
Autism has been a focal point for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has previously vowed to identify the causes of autism by September. He has pointed to various factors, including synthetic food dyes and childhood vaccines, as potential contributors to this neurodevelopmental disorder. Despite the diagnosis rates of autism tripling in the last two decades, the use of acetaminophen remains stable, raising questions about the validity of the administration's claims.
Experts in the field agree that genetic factors play a crucial role in determining a child's risk of developing autism. The disorder tends to run in families, with a high likelihood that if one identical twin is diagnosed with autism, the other will be as well. While some small studies have suggested a possible association between fetal exposure to acetaminophen and the later onset of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the largest and most comprehensive study to date—funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—found no significant increase in risk linked to acetaminophen use.
In light of these claims, organizations such as the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine continue to advocate for the use of acetaminophen to effectively manage fever and pain in pregnant women. This group emphasizes that untreated fever can lead to severe complications, including miscarriage, birth defects, and premature birth, particularly in the early stages of pregnancy.
In addition to discussing acetaminophen, the administration is expected to suggest that leucovorin, or folinic acid—a form of vitamin B often used to address deficiencies caused by chemotherapy—may hold promise in preventing or treating autism. The rationale stems from research indicating that many individuals with autism possess metabolic differences that may hinder the absorption of folate in the brain. Leucovorin could potentially help bypass this metabolic obstacle.
While leucovorin is sometimes prescribed off-label for autism treatment, the evidence supporting its efficacy is limited. The Autism Science Foundation recently issued a statement highlighting that although four studies suggest low folate levels in pregnant women could correlate with an increased risk of autism, this area of research is still nascent. The organization emphasizes the necessity for more comprehensive studies before reaching any definitive conclusions.
As the Trump administration prepares to unveil its findings and recommendations, the intersection of politics, public health, and scientific research continues to be a contentious arena, with potential implications for both medical practice and autism advocacy.
