Trump officials are expected to link the use of pain reliever Tylenol in pregnant women to autism, according to US media reports.
At an Oval Office event on Monday, the US president will reportedly advise pregnant women in the US to only take Tylenol, known as paracetamol elsewhere, to relieve high fevers.
At the Charlie Kirk memorial service on Sunday, Trump said he had an amazing announcement coming on autism, saying it was out of control but they might now have a reason why.
Some studies have shown a link between pregnant women taking Tylenol and autism, but these findings are inconsistent and do not prove the drug causes autism.
Tylenol is a popular brand of pain relief medication sold in the United States, Canada, and some other countries. Its active ingredient is acetaminophen, known as paracetamol outside North America.
Tylenol maker Kenvue has defended the use of the drug in pregnant women, stating: We believe independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism. We strongly disagree with any suggestion otherwise and are deeply concerned with the health risk this poses for expecting mothers.
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology maintains that doctors have identified Tylenol as one of the only safe pain relievers for pregnant women. They state that past studies show no clear evidence of a direct relationship between the prudent use of acetaminophen during any trimester and fetal developmental issues.
Despite the controversies, some studies have identified varying results regarding acetaminophen's association with autism, further complicating the discussion on its safety for pregnant women. Experts emphasize that finding the causes of autism is challenging and likely involves a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors.
As debates swirl around Tylenol's safety, a careful review of research and guidance from health experts remains crucial for expecting mothers.
