A UK government minister has dismissed Donald Trump’s unfounded assertion of a connection between using paracetamol during pregnancy and autism. The President claimed a surge in autism cases and implied that Tylenol, known as paracetamol in the UK, could be a contributing factor. However, without presenting any evidence, he advised against its use throughout pregnancy and expressed baseless worries about vaccines.
UK experts criticized the Trump administration for spreading fear and cited studies refuting the President’s outlandish statements. Labour minister Matthew Pennycook emphasized the importance of relying on evidence in policy decisions, stating that any alleged link remains unsubstantiated. He urged following scientific guidance, including NHS recommendations on paracetamol use.
The NHS website in the UK supports paracetamol as a safe pain relief option for pregnant women. Meanwhile, specialists rebuked the US President’s remarks. Dr. Monique Botha highlighted various studies discrediting any connection between paracetamol exposure in the womb and autism, ADHD, or intellectual disabilities. She emphasized the necessity of adequate pain relief for pregnant women and condemned fear-mongering that could hinder proper care access.
Professor Claire Anderson from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society reaffirmed the safety of paracetamol usage during pregnancy, backed by a significant study in 2024 that found no link to increased autism risk in children. The consensus among experts is that paracetamol is a reliable choice for pain management and fever control in various patient groups, including expectant mothers and children.
