Overview

• Kenvue shares fell more than 10% after a Wall Street Journal report described an upcoming HHS finding on acetaminophen use in pregnancy and autism risk.
• The unpublished report is expected to suggest that folinic acid could help address certain autism symptoms in select patients.
• Kenvue said it sees no causal link and pointed to guidance from the FDA and leading medical groups that consider acetaminophen appropriate in pregnancy when used as directed.
• Research remains divided, with observational studies noting associations but a 2024 JAMA study of 2.4 million Swedish children finding no evidence of a causal relationship.
• Earlier lawsuits alleging Tylenol caused autism were dismissed in federal court for insufficient scientific proof, with appeals still pending.