Health agencies counter Trump's warnings on autism, paracetamol, and pregnancy

Thomson Reuters

EU agencies confirmed on Tuesday the safety of paracetamol during pregnancy, disputing a warning from US President Donald Trump linking the popular pain medication to autism.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said that evidence of a link remained inconsistent and urged caution in drawing conclusions.

On Monday, Trump linked autism to childhood vaccine use and the taking of Tylenol by women when pregnant, elevating claims not backed by scientific evidence to the forefront of US health policy.

The European Medicines Agency said on Tuesday that there was no new evidence that would require changes to the region's current recommendations for the use of paracetamol, known as Tylenol in the United States, during pregnancy.

"Available evidence has found no link between the use of paracetamol during pregnancy and autism," the EMA said in a statement, adding paracetamol could be used during pregnancy when needed, though at the lowest effective dose and frequency.

"The evidence remains inconsistent," WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic told a Geneva press briefing when asked about a possible link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism.

He cited unspecified studies that pointed to a possible link but said this was not confirmed by subsequent research.

"This lack of replicability really calls for caution in drawing casual conclusions," he said.

Viktor Ahlqvist, lead author of the largest scientific study into possible links between paracetamol use during pregnancy and autism, said the Trump administration "seemed to have misunderstood the available evidence".

"We do not find support that paracetamol in pregnancy would cause autism," Ahlqvist said, referring to their study, which looked at 2.5 million pregnancies in Sweden.

Ahlqvist said exposure to any type of medication during pregnancy correlates with adverse outcomes in children, typically not because of the drug but the underlying health problems for which they might need it.

In a highly unusual press conference at the White House on Monday, Trump delivered medical advice to pregnant women and parents of young children, repeatedly telling them not to use or administer the painkiller and suggesting that common vaccines not be taken together or so early in a child's life.

The advice from Trump goes against that of medical societies, which have cited data from numerous studies showing that acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, plays a safe role in the well-being of pregnant women.

Asked to elaborate further on Trump's remarks, Jasarevic said vaccines did not cause autism and affirmed their life-saving qualities.

"This is something that science has proven, and these things should not be really questioned," he added.

AsIAm

AsIAm, an Irish autism charity, said it notes with "deep concern" the comments of Trump linking the use of paracetamol and vaccination to autism.

The charity said such remarks are "not grounded in credible scientific evidence and risk promoting a deeply medicalised, stigmatising, and ultimately harmful view of autistic people".

"Autism is not a disease to be cured. It is a natural variation in human neurology. Suggesting otherwise seeks to bring us back decades in terms of knowledge and understanding - fuels fear, misinformation, and prejudice.

"It undermines the dignity and rights of autistic people and their families. These narratives are especially damaging because they divert attention away from the real issues Autistic people face—such as access to education, therapeutic supports, employment, healthcare, and inclusion in community life.

"Autistic people are often disabled by attitudinal and societal barriers - instead of perpetuating myths, leaders and public figures should focus on fostering understanding, acceptance, and support."

The charity said it was reminding community members living in Ireland that neither Irish health advice nor international scientific evidence links autism and paracetamol.

"It has been definitively established that there is no link between autism and vaccination. We welcome that improved understanding of autism has led to more people being identified as autistic.

"There is no evidence of overdiagnosis in Ireland, and we need to see the State provide timely supports to all who need them, across the life cycle.

"We would urge community members to only ever follow clinical advice from appropriately qualified and regulated sources and to be aware of the significant public health risks posed to you and others by declining vaccination or appropriate medication where it is required or recommended."