Trump report purports to link autism to Tylenol use by pregnant women

Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News on Sep 22, 2025

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President Trump’s administration released a report on Monday that Trump claims links childhood autism to Tylenol use by pregnant women, though he did not provide any evidence while speaking at the White House.

The report advises women to avoid using the common fever-reducer early in pregnancy, even though most medical studies have not found any conclusive link to rising levels of autism in children.

“It is highly unsettling that our federal health agencies are willing to make an announcement that will affect the health and well-being of millions of people without the backing of reliable data,” said Dr. Steven Fleischman, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Trump teased the release during his unrelated speech at the memorial for slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Arizona, telling supporters: “I think we found an answer to autism.”

Tylenol and generic acetaminophen is the most commonly used drug for pain relief and fever reduction in pregnant women. Ibuprofen, another painkiller that is the main ingredient in Advil, is already discouraged due to risk of miscarriage and birth defects.

Trump also blamed a deficiency in folate, also known as folic acid or Vitamin B9, for autism symptoms.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy had promised to expose a definitive cause for autism by this month and he has in the past suggested a tie to childhood vaccines, a claim that public health experts say is false.

That September deadline now seems wildly optimistic with about a dozen working groups still examining about 30 hypotheses about potential causes.

Rates of autism diagnoses have increased dramatically in recent decades in the U.S. but many experts believe doctors are much better at identifying the condition than before.

Tylenol maker Kenvue says it strongly disagrees with any link between Tylenol and autism and said that it would force women to make “dangerous choices” like enduring pain that could be harmful to them and their babies, or taking riskier painkillers.

“Rigorous research, endorsed by leading medical professionals and global health regulators, confirms there is no credible evidence linking acetaminophen to autism,” a Kenvue spokesperson said.

Major medical groups, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, say there is “no clear evidence” linking acetaminophen to autism or other fetal developmental issues.

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