Summary
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s reported plan to link Tylenol (acetaminophen) use during pregnancy to autism has sent anti-vaccine groups into a frenzy, with some accusing him of being ineffective in his role as health secretary.
Anti-Vaccine Groups Melt Down Over RFK Jr.’s Reported Plans
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been making waves with his reported plans to announce that use of Tylenol (acetaminophen) during pregnancy is linked to autism. However, this assertion has sparked a heated reaction from anti-vaccine groups, who are claiming that Kennedy’s efforts to implement an anti-vaccine agenda are "unserious and amateurish."
"We didn’t wait 20 years for Bobby to finally speak and then get served Tylenol as an answer," the Georgia Coalition for Vaccine Choice wrote in an unhinged Facebook post on Monday morning. "If that’s all we hear – is that the end? Not thimerosal. Not aluminum. Not MMR. Not Hep B. Not the insane schedule pushed after pharma got liability protection. Are we supposed to just forget?"
Kennedy’s anti-vaccine group, Children’s Health Defense (CHD), even got in on the backlash, retweeting a post on Monday about parents who falsely blame vaccines for their children’s neurological condition, with the statement: "THIS WAS NOT CAUSED BY TYLENOL."
The Origins of the Reported Link
The reported link between Tylenol and autism was first revealed earlier this month by The Wall Street Journal. However, fury erupted again after President Trump mentioned in a speech on Saturday that there would be a "big announcement" on the cause of autism on Monday. Then, on Sunday, The Washington Post reported that the announcement Trump was referring to was the report linking autism to the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy.
According to the Post’s unnamed sources, the Trump administration will warn against using the over-the-counter pain-reliever and fever-reducer early in pregnancy unless it’s needed to reduce a fever. The announcement is expected this afternoon.
CHD Downplays the Link
In an interview on Steve Bannon’s podcast War Room on Monday, CHD President Mary Holland downplayed the link, telling Bannon: "Today may be something of a sideshow—Tylenol is not the primary cause. Vaccines are the primary cause [of autism]," Holland said.
The claim that vaccines cause autism has been thoroughly and repeatedly debunked by scientific evidence. It’s worth noting that CHD has previously fear-mongered about children’s use of Tylenol early in life, but they have been tepid at best on Kennedy’s reported plans to link use in pregnancy to autism.
The Science Behind the Link
The alleged link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and the development of autism is not entirely bunkum, but it also is far from proven. The scientific literature on the topic has been mixed, with some studies finding a possible association and others not finding one.
In August, a literature review in BMC Environmental Health led by a Harvard researcher reexamined data from 46 previously published studies and concluded that use of Tylenol early during pregnancy appeared to be associated with a higher risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism. However, many studies on the topic have significant limitations and don’t account for important factors, including genetic factors.
Novel Study in Sweden
Many medical experts point to a novel 2024 study conducted in Sweden. The study, published in JAMA, used data from a population of 2.5 million children and was also able to compare differences among (full) siblings. This provided a simple way to skirt confounding variables, such as genetics and environmental factors, to which siblings would have similar exposure.
In the entire population, children exposed to acetaminophen during pregnancy were slightly more likely to be diagnosed with autism than those who weren’t—echoing some earlier studies. But, in the sibling analysis, which compared siblings who were exposed to acetaminophen to siblings who were not, the association vanished.
Critical Factors
Another factor to consider is that untreated fevers, and/or prolonged fevers during pregnancy—reasons to take Tylenol in the first place—are linked to increased risks of autism. And, as the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine pointed out earlier this month, untreated fever and pain during pregnancy carry other significant risks for both the mother and the pregnancy.
The Safety of Acetaminophen
With no clear evidence supporting a link between acetaminophen and autism, doctors highlight another fold in the issue: Acetaminophen is considered the safest pain reliever/fever-reducer during pregnancy. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (also called NSAIDS), such as ibuprofen (Advil) and aspirin, can cause reduced blood flow, heart problems, and kidney problems in a fetus.
After The Wall Street Journal’s report of Kennedy’s plans, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) reiterated its guidance for acetaminophen during pregnancy, writing on social media:
Acetaminophen remains a safe, trusted option for pain relief during pregnancy. Despite recent unfounded claims, there’s no clear evidence linking prudent use to issues with fetal development. ACOG’s guidance remains the same. When pain relief is needed during pregnancy, acetaminophen should be used in moderation, and after consulting your doctor.
Christopher Zahn, ACOG’s chief of clinical practice, put it more plainly, saying: “Pregnant patients should not be frightened away from the many benefits of acetaminophen, which is safe and one of the few options pregnant people have for pain relief."
Conclusion
The reported link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism has sparked a heated reaction from anti-vaccine groups. However, despite the claims made by these groups, there is no clear evidence supporting this link. In fact, many medical experts point to a novel study in Sweden that suggests the association may be due to confounding variables rather than causation.
As the debate rages on, one thing is certain: pregnant women should not be frightened away from using acetaminophen for pain relief, as it remains the safest option available.