Overview

• President Trump and top health officials asserted that prenatal acetaminophen use raises autism risk and urged pregnant women to avoid Tylenol.
• Sen. Bill Cassidy, a physician who chairs the Senate health committee, said the preponderance of evidence does not support a solid link and called for the underlying data to be released.
• Leading obstetricians criticized the announcement, with ACOG’s president saying it is not backed by the full body of evidence and warning about risks from untreated fever or pain in pregnancy.
• Research cited in coverage includes large observational cohorts where small differences were observed, with study authors emphasizing correlation rather than causation.
• Tylenol maker Kenvue disputed the administration’s claim and warned that discouraging acetaminophen could push pregnant patients toward riskier alternatives, as Cassidy drew online backlash over his prior vote to confirm HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.