Overview

• The FDA and CDC issued communications noting a possible association but stated that no causal link has been established, even as the administration signaled labeling changes.
• Major medical groups and regulators, including ACOG, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the EMA and WHO, said evidence does not show that acetaminophen in pregnancy causes autism, citing a large Swedish sibling study finding no causal effect.
• Clinicians report a surge of patient anxiety, yet continue to recommend acetaminophen judiciously for fever and pain in pregnancy because untreated fever carries known risks and alternatives like ibuprofen have documented harms.
• Political reactions widened as Senate GOP leader John Thune voiced concern and Sen. Bill Cassidy urged release of supporting data, while Vice President JD Vance and CMS chief Mehmet Oz advised pregnant patients to follow their doctors’ guidance.
• NIH announced an Autism Data Science Initiative to leverage large-scale data on contributors to autism as lawmakers and advocates call for greater transparency around the evidence behind the administration’s claim.