(NewsNation) — Pregnant women who are alarmed about the potential link between Tylenol use and autism should consult with their doctors, two physicians told NewsNation on Friday as the issue flared anew.
The Wall Street Journal said Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was poised to release a report tying use of the painkiller acetaminophen during pregnancy to autism in children. The conclusion has been suggested in prior research, though former CDC Director Tom Frieden said it’s not established science.
“It’s a possibility,” said Frieden, now president and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives. “This is a really tough problem because other painkillers are definitely not safe during different parts of pregnancy. And pain is bad for the developing fetus, as well.”
His advice: “You really have to consult with your obstetrician.”
‘I don’t want them to be scared’: Doctor on pregnant women
Dr. Mahsa Tehrani, a board-certified rheumatologist, offered similar guidance and warned pregnant women against avoiding medicines altogether.
“I don’t want them to be scared. If somebody’s pregnant and has a fever, that fever absolutely should be treated,” she said. “This is where shared decision-making comes into play. We know that high fevers can increase birth defects, miscarriage rates. So, it’s important to have a discussion with obstetricians and gynecologists.”
Painkillers with acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, are taken by roughly half of pregnant women.
Kenvue, the parent company Tylenol’s maker, waded into the fray Friday, saying, “Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of the people who use our products. We have continuously evaluated the science and continue to believe there is no causal link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism.”
Researcher focuses on final phase of pregnancy
Dr. William Parker, CEO of WPLab, has studied the effects of acetaminophen on brain development. Parker tells “NewsNation Now” his data shows that “acetaminophen is probably the most dangerous for neurodevelopment” in the peripartum period — around the time a mother gives birth.
He said he has studied the potential link between acetaminophen use and autism, ADHD and developmental delays in children.
“The lowest hanging fruit is obstetrics,” he said. “If you’re getting a C-section, Tylenol doesn’t do any good, but it’s still on protocols, and that’s where the heaviest associations are.”
Kennedy’s report was also expected to cite folate deficiency as a cause for autism.