Introduction to the Debate
It started with an unsubstantiated warning that taking Tylenol during pregnancy could raise a child’s risk of autism. But the message from President Donald Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. seems to have quickly expanded to suggest that babies and young children should avoid the common painkiller.
The Administration’s Stance
“Don’t give it to the baby when the baby’s born,” Trump said of Tylenol at a Cabinet meeting on Thursday. Kennedy jumped in to suggest that children who are circumcised have higher autism rates, “likely because they’re given Tylenol.” As the administration’s stance on the medication has broadened over the last few weeks, researchers say the notion that young children may develop autism as a result of taking Tylenol is particularly far-fetched.
Scientific Evidence
“There’s even less evidence that there’s a link between Tylenol in early childhood and autism than there is that Tylenol taken during pregnancy causes autism,” said David Mandell, a psychiatry professor at the University of Pennsylvania. The bulk of scientific evidence suggests moderate Tylenol use is safe in pregnancy, and many autism researchers say data does not support a causal link to autism. When it comes to young children, the American Academy of Pediatrics says Tylenol is safe when taken correctly under the guidance of a pediatrician.
Safety Guidelines for Young Children
The medication shouldn’t be given to children younger than 12 weeks, the group says, unless a doctor recommends it, since Tylenol can mask fevers or early signs of sepsis, which require immediate medical attention. Packages of Tylenol and generic pain and fever relief medicine for sale on a shelf in a pharmacy in Houston on Sept. 23. Ronaldo Schemidt / AFP via Getty Images
Regulatory Actions
Trump and Kennedy’s first announcement about Tylenol and autism came on Sept. 22, when they unveiled regulatory actions to limit the medication’s use in pregnancy. Though Trump warned pregnant women to “fight like hell not to take it,” the actual policy changes were more subdued. The Food and Drug Administration issued a letter asking physicians to “consider minimizing the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy for routine low-grade fevers.” (Acetaminophen is the active ingredient in Tylenol.)
FDA Stance
The FDA acknowledged, however, that Tylenol is the safest over-the-counter pain reliever in pregnancy and that “a causal relationship has not been established” with autism. The agency made no mention of risks to children. Nevertheless, both Kennedy and Trump have repeated such warnings on several occasions — a significant leap from the FDA messaging.
Expanding Warnings
In a post on Truth Social two weeks ago, Trump wrote that young children should not take Tylenol “for virtually any reason.” Kennedy, meanwhile, doubled down on his statement about circumcision in a post on X on Friday, saying that “the observed autism correlation in circumcised boys is best explained by acetaminophen exposure.”
Scientific Community’s Response
Dr. Joshua Gordon, chair of the psychiatry department at Columbia University, said the snowballing warnings about Tylenol represent a common tactic among those looking to attribute autism to vaccines or medications. “Robert F. Kennedy and his colleagues will start with asking one question, and when the scientific community answers that question, they’ll tweak the question slightly to prolong, if you will, the debate on the topic,” Gordon said.
Lack of Conclusive Evidence
He pointed to the way the anti-vaccine community first raised concerns about the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine in connection to autism, then pivoted to focus on a mercury-based preservative in vaccines and on the cumulative amount of vaccines administered in childhood. (Each of these concerns has been debunked.) “No amount of scientific evidence can ever be conclusive for this community,” Gordon said. “The debate is like a hydra. You cut off one head and they’re just going to try to emerge with another.”
Response from Health Authorities
The Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to a request for comment. White House spokesperson Kush Desai said that “the President is right to express his commonsense opinion that Americans should use caution with all medications and adhere to FDA guidance, including the longstanding guidance regarding appropriate use and dosage of acetaminophen in young children.”
Manufacturer’s Response
A spokesperson for Kenvue, the maker of Tylenol, said the medication is “one of the most widely studied pain relievers and fever reducers in infants and children, and numerous randomized, controlled clinical trials support the safety of acetaminophen in infants and children when used as directed.” The spokesperson added that “independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism.”
Conclusion
The claims that Tylenol increases autism rates in babies and toddlers are based on low-quality studies that don’t prove causation. Mandell said the theory that autism can be attributed to acetaminophen use in babies and young children is not supported by scientific evidence. It is essential for parents to follow the guidance of their pediatricians and use Tylenol only when necessary and under their recommendation.
FAQs
Q: Is it safe for young children to take Tylenol?
A: Yes, when taken correctly under the guidance of a pediatrician, Tylenol is safe for young children.
Q: Can Tylenol cause autism in children?
A: No, there is no conclusive evidence that Tylenol causes autism in children.
Q: What is the FDA’s stance on Tylenol use in pregnancy?
A: The FDA acknowledges that Tylenol is the safest over-the-counter pain reliever in pregnancy and that “a causal relationship has not been established” with autism.
Q: Should parents avoid giving Tylenol to their children?
A: No, parents should follow the guidance of their pediatricians and use Tylenol only when necessary and under their recommendation.
