Paracetamol safe, says WHO after Trump links it to autism

After US President Donald Trump linked autism to childhood vaccine use and the consumption of pain medication Tylenol (paracetamol in India) during pregnancy, the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday dismissed the claim.

The WHO said evidence of a link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism remains inconsistent. Responding to Trump’s remarks at a press conference in Geneva, WHO spokesperson Tarik Jašarević said, “The evidence remains inconsistent. We know that vaccines do not cause autism. Vaccines save countless lives. This is something science has proven, and it should not be questioned.”

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) echoed the WHO’s stance. “In the EU, paracetamol (acetaminophen) can be used to reduce pain or fever during pregnancy if clinically needed. There is currently no new evidence requiring changes to EU recommendations,” the agency said. EMA’s Chief Medical Officer Steffen Thirstrup added: “Paracetamol remains an important option to treat pain or fever in pregnant women. Our advice is based on rigorous scientific assessment, and we have found no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children.”

Trump, calling the rise in reported autism cases a “horrible crisis”, urged a re-examination of the supposed link. “I want to say it like it is: don’t take Tylenol. Don’t take it,” he said, making the statement alongside Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. Kennedy added, “Some 40 to 70 per cent of mothers of children with autism believe their child was injured by a vaccine. President Trump believes we should listen to these mothers instead of gaslighting and marginalising them like prior administrations.”

Following Trump’s remarks, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it would add warning labels to acetaminophen products, stating that prenatal use “may be associated with an increased risk of autism or neurodevelopmental disorders”.

Kenvue, the maker of Tylenol, strongly disagreed. “Independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism. We strongly reject any suggestion otherwise and are deeply concerned about the health risk this poses for expecting mothers and parents,” the company said.

Medical experts also criticised Trump’s claim. Steven J Fleischman, President of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said, “Suggestions that acetaminophen use in pregnancy causes autism are not only highly concerning to clinicians but also irresponsible when considering the harmful and confusing message they send to pregnant patients. Acetaminophen is one of the few options available to pregnant patients to treat pain and fever, which, if left untreated, can be harmful.”

In India, the Union Health Ministry has yet to issue a statement on the matter.