A new study has concluded that there is no clear link between acetaminophen (brand name, Tylenol) use during pregnancy and the risk of a baby developing autism spectrum disorder. The study was conducted in response to claims by the Trump administration that taking Tylenol during pregnancy can cause babies to develop autism.
The claim sparked backlash in large part because Tylenol has, in fact, long been recommended by obstetricians as the safest pain reliever to use during pregnancy. The authors of the new study explained that previous studies that showed correlation between Tylenol use and autism were poor quality, and often jumped to conclusions based on assumptions or loose associations.
The Tylenol controversy comes on the heels of proliferating misinformation about the causes of autism spectrum disorder, which has also been incorrectly linked to vaccines. This rise in misinformation is linked, in part, to the common misconception that autism rates have increased among children in recent years.
While it’s true that the rate of autism diagnoses in kids has increased in recent decades, it’s not necessarily because kids are more likely to have autism. The primary reason for the increase in diagnoses is that healthcare providers have gotten much better at identifying autism in recent years. With increased understanding, the definition of autism has also expanded significantly into a spectrum that includes people with a wide range of characteristics—from those with subtle social differences to individuals with more complex support needs.
Doctors continue to recommend using Tylenol sparingly in pregnancy, as with most over-the-counter medications, but any connection with increased risk for children developing autism has largely been debunked. Pregnant people should consult with their obstetrician before taking any medications.
