Overview
- Multiple outlets, citing the Wall Street Journal, report the HHS/NIH review due this month will link acetaminophen use in pregnancy and low maternal folate to autism and will spotlight folinic acid as a possible symptom treatment.
- An HHS spokesperson said the agency is using gold‑standard science and that any claims about the report’s contents are premature until the final document is released.
- Kenvue shares fell sharply on the reports, dropping as much as 14% before closing down roughly 9% on Friday, as the company reiterated it sees no causal link between prenatal acetaminophen use and autism.
- Current clinical guidance from the FDA and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists considers acetaminophen safe in pregnancy when used as directed, reflecting a literature base with mixed findings.
- A large 2024 Swedish sibling‑controlled study found no causal association, recent reviews have noted observational links with important limitations, prior federal lawsuits were dismissed for insufficient evidence, and NIH grant awards tied to autism research are expected later this month.