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WHO and EMA Refute Trump's Claim Linking Prenatal Paracetamol to Autism

Recent reporting finds no proven causal link, with doctors advising limited, indicated use during pregnancy.

Overview

  • President Trump urged pregnant women to avoid acetaminophen, triggering immediate rebuttals from health authorities.
  • WHO and the European Medicines Agency reaffirmed that current evidence does not establish causation and maintained guidance to use the lowest effective dose when clinically necessary.
  • A 2024 JAMA sibling-comparison study of 185,909 Swedish births found no increased risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability with prenatal exposure.
  • An Environmental Health review published in August 2025 assessed 46 studies and reported mixed results with moderate, biased evidence that does not prove causality.
  • Clinicians warn that discouraging indicated treatment risks undertreating fever and pain in pregnancy, and they note folinic acid (leucovorin) is for specific metabolic deficits rather than preventive use.