The Trump administration is set to release a report this month that will allegedly connect the use of the common painkiller acetaminophen, marketed under the brand name Tylenol, during pregnancy to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This report also reportedly points to certain vitamin deficiencies as potential contributing factors. However, this claim has raised eyebrows within the scientific community due to a lack of substantial research supporting these assertions.
This anticipated report adds to the ongoing controversies surrounding Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.. Kennedy has a history of promoting unsupported claims regarding autism and has vowed to investigate its causes thoroughly. While the agency has confirmed that a report is in progress, it has refrained from commenting on its conclusions. A spokesperson from HHS emphasized, "Until we release the final report, any claims about its contents are nothing more than speculation."
Despite the forthcoming report, there is currently no credible scientific evidence linking acetaminophen to autism. The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine issued a statement affirming that acetaminophen is safe for use during pregnancy, particularly for treating fever and pain. They highlighted the risks of untreated fever in the first trimester, which can lead to miscarriage, birth defects, and premature birth, as well as the mental health challenges associated with unmanaged pain, such as maternal depression and anxiety.
Dr. Alycia Halladay, chief science officer at the Autism Science Foundation, criticized the idea that autism's causes can be simplified into a single factor. She stated, "There are hundreds of genes linked to autism, and while various environmental factors may also play a role, attributing autism to acetaminophen is based on limited and inconsistent scientific evidence." The foundation argues that the association between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and the risk of autism is premature given the current state of research.
While a few small studies have hinted at a possible correlation between fetal exposure to acetaminophen and the subsequent diagnosis of autism or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the largest and most comprehensive study to date—a collaboration funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) between U.S. and Swedish scientists—found no increased risk associated with acetaminophen use during pregnancy. Prior to this significant study, a U.S. District Court had also reached a similar conclusion in a product liability case.
Leucovorin, also known as folinic acid, is a form of vitamin B9 (folate) used primarily to address certain deficiencies often caused by cancer chemotherapy. It has been prescribed off-label as a treatment for autism, although evidence supporting its efficacy remains limited. The rationale behind using leucovorin stems from research suggesting that some individuals with autism may have metabolic differences that impede the amount of folate reaching the brain. Leucovorin may provide a means to overcome this metabolic challenge.
Folate is crucial for the development of the brain and nervous system, which is why pregnant women are frequently advised to take supplements containing folic acid, the synthetic form of folate. While folate deficiency in expectant mothers has been linked to neural tube defects such as spina bifida, the connection to autism remains unclear and requires further investigation.
As the Trump administration prepares to unveil its report, the debate over the implications of acetaminophen use during pregnancy and its potential links to autism continues to stir controversy. The medical community urges caution and emphasizes the need for robust scientific evidence before making any definitive claims.
