US President Donald Trump has sparked controversy by claiming a link between taking Tylenol and autism, despite a lack of scientific evidence supporting this claim. Doctors in the US are set to be advised not to prescribe Tylenol to pregnant women due to concerns over its safety.
Trump’s comments have been met with criticism from medical experts, who say they are “dangerous” and “simplify complex causes of neurologic challenges”. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has disputed the link made by Trump, stating that studies show no clear evidence of a direct relationship between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and fetal developmental issues.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also cautioned against limiting Tylenol use in pregnant women, citing that it remains the safest over-the-counter option for treating fever and pain. Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has announced plans to initiate a safety label change on the medication and launch a public health campaign to spread awareness.
Despite Trump’s claims, experts say there is no robust evidence to support a causal relationship between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism. The National Autistic Society has described Trump’s comments as “irresponsible” and said he had devalued autistic people.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx20d4lr67lo