US President Donald Trump, along with top health officials from his administration, is expected to link autism to the use of the popular painkiller Tylenol during pregnancy, at a White House event on Monday afternoon, according to Axios. The reference to this connection, which was originally reported by the Wall Street Journal earlier this month, is expected to bring back into the spotlight the controversy regarding the use of acetaminophen during the first phase of pregnancy.
Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., who has previously promoted debunked theories about autism, stated that findings from a government report on the causes of autism would be announced within the month. Over the weekend, Trump previewed the announcement for Monday.
Trump is set to appear alongside Kennedy, television personality Mehmet Oz, and others on Monday afternoon in the Oval Office. Officials are expected to argue that there is a connection between autism and low levels of folic acid vitamin. The Wall Street Journal reported that the administration will propose a form of folic acid, known as leucovorin, as a means to reduce autism symptoms.
Some studies have found that prenatal exposure to Tylenol’s active ingredient increases the risk of developing autism and ADHD. However, a large study using data from over 2 million children in Sweden, published last year, found no connection.
Earlier, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) concluded that there is no clear evidence of a relationship between prudent use of acetaminophen and fetal developmental problems.
Kenvue, the manufacturer of Tylenol, stated: “We believe that independent, reliable science clearly shows that the use of acetaminophen does not cause autism. We strongly disagree with any suggestion to the contrary and are deeply concerned about the risk this poses to pregnant women.”
