Evidence does not prove Tylenol causes autism, local experts say

Experts dispute Trump’s autism claims about Tylenol

Medical experts are challenging President Donald Trump’s autism claims, defending Tylenol’s safety in pregnancy.

In the wake of President Trump’s warning to pregnant women to avoid taking Tylenol, physicians in Southwest Ohio are speaking out.

In a response issued Sept. 24, the Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati, a nonprofit that represents doctors in Cincinnati, instead urged patients to listen to trusted medical professionals when making decisions about their health.

“When used as directed, acetaminophen remains the most widely recommended option for treating pain or fever during pregnancy,” read the response. “The Academy supports ongoing research while affirming that pregnant patients should consult their physicians to weigh benefits and risks.”

To help clear up any questions you may have, The Enquirer spoke to Dr. Lisa Egbert, a Dayton-based ob-gyn who serves as the speaker of the House of Delegates of the American Medical Association. With over 27 years of experience in treating pregnant and birthing patients, here’s her advice on the best ways of making sure a mom and baby both stay safe during pregnancy.

Why is Tylenol recommended for fever, pain during pregnancy?

High body temperature during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester, can be dangerous due to the increased risk that the fetus will develop brain- or heart-related defects. Researchers have known this for decades, which is also why pregnant people are discouraged from using hot tubs or being outside for prolonged periods on a hot day.

“In the first trimester, as fetuses are developing, we’re very concerned about the neurodevelopment, specifically neural tube development, also cardiac development,” said Egbert. “We don’t really know why fever affects those things.”

Acetaminophen, also known by its brand-name Tylenol, is the safest and “best” option for pregnant people, said Egbert, to lower that fever.

It’s also “the best pain medicine we can offer during pregnancy,” according to Egbert, who said that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil or aspirin are not recommended due to the potential to cause severe kidney problems in the fetus.

“In general, your doctor will tell you, hey, take what you need to take at the lowest dose for the least amount of time to help you with the symptom that you’re having,” said Egbert. “The recommendation has always been exposed to the least amount you can for the least amount of time you can.”

Does Tylenol use during pregnancy cause autism?

The issue of acetaminophen safety during pregnancy has been studied for over a decade, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a professional organization representing ob-gyns in the U.S.

On Sept. 22, the Food and Drug Administration announced a label change on Tylenol to reflect some studies that show a positive correlation between Tylenol use during pregnancy and subsequent diagnosis of conditions such as autism and ADHD. An association does not mean, as President Trump suggested, that Tylenol usage causes autism in the fetus and that pregnant moms should stop taking the medication because of it.

The FDA addressed this uncertainty in its announcement of the label change. “While an association between acetaminophen and neurological conditions has been described in many studies,” read the announcement, “a causal relationship has not been established and there are contrary studies in the scientific literature.”

Notably, two studies from Sweden and Norway respectively found that when other potential causes of autism, such as genetics, were ruled out, there was no significant link between Tylenol use and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Still, reviewing scientific research can be overwhelming, so if you’re a parent who’s confused on how best to keep yourself and your baby healthy, there’s an easy solution.

When in doubt, said Egbert, “It’s aways best to double check with your doctor.”

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