WHO, EU reject Trump claim linking Tylenol use in pregnancy to autism
3 Min Read
Health experts say his claims lack credible scientific evidence.
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US President Donald Trump speaks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Monday, Sept 22, 2025, in Washington, as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr listens (AP)
The World Health Organization and health authorities across Europe have dismissed recent claims by US President Donald Trump, who alleged that paracetamol (known as Tylenol in the US) taken during pregnancy may lead to autism in children. These remarks have reignited a long-running controversy over autism-related misinformation.
Speaking at a White House briefing, Trump claimed that Tylenol use during pregnancy, alongside early childhood vaccines, was a factor in rising autism rates. This position echoes past assertions by Trump promoting disproven links between vaccines and autism, as well as other unscientific health advice issued during his presidency.
Trump's latest comments were part of a broader announcement involving Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, a well-known anti-vaccine activist. The claim, unsupported by scientific consensus, was immediately met with concern from the international medical community.
Global health agencies refute misinformation
The World Health Organization responded firmly. Spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic acknowledged that while some studies had hypothesized a potential link, these results were not confirmed by subsequent research. "The evidence remains inconsistent," he said during a Geneva press briefing, emphasizing that such claims should not be taken as causal conclusions.
Jasarevic reiterated WHO's longstanding position that vaccines do not cause autism, underscoring the need to rely on credible, peer-reviewed science when it comes to public health advice.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) stated there was no new evidence necessitating changes to existing guidance on paracetamol use during pregnancy. "Available evidence has found no link between the use of paracetamol during pregnancy and autism," the EMA said, adding that the medication remains safe when used appropriately.
Similarly, Britain's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency reaffirmed its recommendation that paracetamol can be used during pregnancy at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest duration necessary.
Experts warn of real-world harm from misinformation
Viktor Ahlqvist, lead author of one of the most comprehensive studies on this subject, refuted the Trump administration's interpretation of the data. His research, covering 2.5 million pregnancies in Sweden, found no evidence that paracetamol causes autism.
Speaking to Reuters, Ahlqvist pointed out that any correlation between medication use during pregnancy and adverse outcomes is often more reflective of the underlying health condition rather than the drug itself.
Trump's latest statements continue a pattern of health misinformation dating back to his first term. From promoting unproven COVID-19 treatments to casting doubt on vaccine safety, the US President has repeatedly contradicted scientific consensus.
