Tylenol during pregnancy has no link to autism, large study finds

Key Points:

• A large Danish study of over 1.5 million children found no link between acetaminophen (Tylenol) use during pregnancy and autism, with 1.8% of exposed children developing autism compared to 3.0% of unexposed children.
• This study supports previous research from Sweden indicating no causal relationship between prenatal Tylenol exposure and autism, reinforcing that neither Tylenol nor vaccines cause autism.
• The findings counter earlier claims by former President Trump and the FDA, who suggested a potential autism risk from acetaminophen use during pregnancy, leading to public confusion and a temporary decline in Tylenol use.
• Medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetrician & Gynecologists, have emphasized that Tylenol remains a safe and important option for managing pain and fever during pregnancy, unlike alternatives such as ibuprofen.
• The manufacturer of Tylenol, Kenvue, has consistently stated that independent science shows no link between acetaminophen and autism and expressed concern over misinformation affecting pregnant women’s health decisions.