The use of acetaminophen (known by the brand name “Tylenol” in the U.S.) during pregnancy does not affect the incidence of autism diagnoses in children. This was stated in a large-scale study conducted in Denmark and published in the medical journal JAMA Pediatrics.
The study, which relied on data from the Danish National Health System, analyzed records of more than 1.5 million children born between 1997 and 2022. According to the results, an autism diagnosis was given to 1.8% of children whose mothers took Tylenol during pregnancy, while the rate for the same diagnosis was 3% among those who had no exposure to the medication.
This issue became particularly relevant in the U.S. following statements by Donald Trump, who suggested that the use of Tylenol is one of the primary causes of autism. Trump has repeatedly urged pregnant women to refrain from taking the drug.
According to a study published in the journal The Lancet, following these statements, the rate of Tylenol prescriptions for pregnant women in hospital emergency departments decreased by 16%. Doctors fear that such rhetoric negatively impacts patient behavior, as acetaminophen is considered one of the safest means of managing pain and fever during pregnancy.
What Are the Scientists’ Arguments?
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Genetic Factors: Scientists note that autism is primarily determined by genetic factors.
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Family History: A similar study in Sweden (2024) also showed that the slight link initially observed completely disappeared once researchers took family history and sibling data into account.
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Safety Profile: Jeremy Faust, a researcher at Harvard Medical School, explains that Tylenol remains the best choice for pregnant women because other painkillers, such as ibuprofen, are often not recommended due to risks associated with bleeding and the placenta.
Experts conclude that unjustified fear may force pregnant women to forgo treatment altogether, which in itself poses a threat to the health of both the mother and the fetus.
