Trump’s Paracetamol Claims Raise Eyebrows — What Does the Science Show?

Date: 23 September 2025

Background:
President Donald Trump, joined by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has made strong statements suggesting a link between the use of paracetamol (known in the U.S. as acetaminophen or by brand-names like Tylenol) during pregnancy and autism in children. He also raised concerns about vaccines and promised new warnings for doctors.

Claims being made

• Trump urged pregnant women to “limit” or avoid using paracetamol unless medically necessary, suggesting it could heighten the risk of autism.

• He implied that vaccine timing or ingredients could also be part of rising autism rates.

• His administration is reportedly considering new guidance or warnings for doctors about prenatal acetaminophen use.

What the current scientific evidence says

• No proven causal link: Multiple large, recent studies—including a 2024 Swedish study involving more than 2.4 million children—found no association between mothers taking paracetamol during pregnancy and increased risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability in their children, after controlling for genetic, familial, and other risk factors.

• Correlation does not mean causation: Experts stress that even when small associations are observed (i.e. pregnant women who took acetaminophen and whose children later received an autism diagnosis), that does not prove the drug caused autism. Underlying factors—such as the reason for taking paracetamol (fever, inflammation), genetic predispositions, maternal illness—can confound results.

• Medical consensus so far supports safety when used correctly: Health authorities and obstetrical / maternal medicine bodies in countries like Australia have reaffirmed that paracetamol remains a safe over-the-counter option in pregnancy when used properly (correct dose, for necessary situations such as fever or pain), and warn that fears may lead to worse outcomes if pregnant women endure untreated fever or pain.

Reactions & concerns

• Medical experts, regulators, and professional bodies have pushed back strongly, warning that the claims are premature and could inflict unintended harm—for example, by discouraging pregnant women from using one of the few safe pain relief options, or by sowing undue fear or guilt.

• World Health Organization (WHO) has described the evidence as inconsistent. It emphasized that there is no credible evidence linking vaccines or paracetamol to autism, and that warnings or labels must be grounded in well-replicated science.

• Public health officials worry about the communication and policy implications: misinformation, stigmatization of families with autistic children, and potential neglect of treating fever or pain during pregnancy, which itself can carry risks.

What to watch for moving forward

• Rigorous, peer-reviewed studies that specifically account for confounding variables (genetics, reason for drug use, dosage, timing in pregnancy) are needed to evaluate any real risk. Sibling comparisons (where a mother took paracetamol in one pregnancy but not another) are a helpful method; recent studies using that design have found no link.

• Regulatory or medical guidance changes: Whether agencies such as the FDA will issue formal warnings, updates to product labeling, or revised guidance for practitioners and patients.

• Public communication: How messaging balances caution with avoiding unnecessary fear—particularly important for pregnant women making choices about pain management and fever.

Bottom line

While the topic of prenatal paracetamol use and neurodevelopmental outcomes (autism, ADHD) has been under scientific investigation, there is currently no robust evidence that paracetamol causes autism. The associations seen in some epidemiological studies are small, conflicting, and likely confounded by other factors.

Anyone pregnant or considering pregnancy who is concerned should consult a trusted medical professional rather than relying solely on statements from political figures. Good medical practice continues to emphasize using the lowest effective dose of any medication, for the shortest necessary duration, especially during pregnancy—while also managing fever or pain, which themselves can pose risks if left untreated.