Medical groups push back against Trump claims on autism, Tylenol and vaccines

Healthcare groups are pushing back against the Trump administration’s claims of links between acetaminophen and autism.

They took the action after President Trump spoke in the White House Monday about the risks of pregnant women taking acetaminophen, sold under the brand Tylenol and in generics. Flanked by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Mehmet Oz, MD, head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Trump said pregnant women should not take acetaminophen, the Associated Press reports.

“Tylenol during pregnancy can be associated with a very increased risk of autism,” Trump said.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists quickly issued a statement advising that repeated studies have shown acetaminophen is safe for use by pregnant women. They say the guidance from the Health Department isn’t backed by scientific evidence, and contradicts studies that show there’s no link of acetaminophen to autism.

Steven J. Fleischman, MD, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said that the group fears pregnant women won’t use a drug that can ease pain and reduce fever.

“Suggestions that acetaminophen use in pregnancy causes autism are not only highly concerning to clinicians but also irresponsible when considering the harmful and confusing message they send to pregnant patients, including those who may need to rely on this beneficial medicine during pregnancy,” Fleishman said in a statement.

The Food and Drug Administration said it’s beginning a process to change the label for acetaminophen to advise that use of the drug by pregnant women may be associated with a greater risk of autism and ADHD in children. The FDA is also sending a letter to physicians.

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD, described a “considerable body of evidence.” Makary also said it is reasonable for pregnant women to take acetaminophen in some cases.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said the government’s assessment isn’t backed by evidence and “dangerously simplifies the many and complex causes of neurologic challenges 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,” Fleishman said.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists points to a study published in JAMA in April 2024 that found no significant ties between pregnant women taking acetaminophen and children’s risk of autism, ADHD, or any intellectual disability.

Pregnant women can be exposing themselves to greater risks by avoiding acetaminophen, Fleishman said.

“Acetaminophen is one of the few options available to pregnant patients to treat pain and fever, which can be harmful to pregnant people when left untreated,” Fleishman said, adding, “The conditions people use acetaminophen to treat during pregnancy are far more dangerous than any theoretical risks and can create severe morbidity and mortality for the pregnant person and the fetus.”

The American Psychiatric Association also issued a statement Monday criticizing the federal government for its statements on acetaminophen.

“Autism is a complex disorder, and it is incorrect to imply that a handful of studies have established causation,” the American Psychiatric Association said in a statement. “ A strong base of evidence shows that acetaminophen, when taken as directed, is safe for use during pregnancy. Any decisions around a course of treatment should be determined by a patient and their doctor.”

Healthcare groups also objected to suggestions of ties between vaccines and autism from the White House event. Trump said Monday, “There are certain groups of people that don’t take vaccines and don’t take any pills that have no autism.”

The APA refuted suggestions linking vaccine to autism.

“Vaccines do not cause autism. Claims of any such association have been repeatedly discredited in peer reviewed studies,” the association said.

The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a statement criticizing the White House event for “dangerous claims and misleading information” about autism and vaccines.

“Studies have repeatedly found no credible link between life-saving childhood vaccines and autism,” the pediatricians’ group said.

The academy also warned that deterring vaccines leads to greater risks of kids suffering from preventable diseases.

“Pediatricians know firsthand that children’s immune systems perform better after vaccination against serious, contagious diseases like polio, measles, whooping cough and Hepatitis B. Spacing out or delaying vaccines means children will not have immunity against these diseases at times when they are most at risk,” the academy said.

• Read more: Defending vaccines: AMA, nursing leaders speak out

The CDC announced earlier this year that it was launching new studies exploring any link between vaccines and autism, even though numerous studies have found no ties. Critics say it stokes misinformation about vaccines and diverts funds that could support those with autism.

Healthcare organizations have criticized Kennedy for changes in vaccine policy, including a federal advisory panel saying last week it is no longer recommending COVID-19 vaccines.

The federal government has revised its guidance for COVID-19 vaccines, recommending them for all seniors but saying they aren’t advised for younger adults who are healthy. Medical groups criticized the guidance, along with a host of recent changes in vaccine policy

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has a Q&A regarding acetaminophen and autism.

• Read more: How Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia will use Jeffrey Lurie’s $50M gift for autism research