(NewsNation) — President Trump’s announcement about autism Monday is expected to include a recommendation that pregnant women refrain from using Tylenol, in addition to identifying a therapy for the neurodevelopmental disorder, a source tells NewsNation.
Joining Trump in the Oval Office for the afternoon announcement will be Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who, earlier this year, promised to unravel the mystery of increasing autism diagnoses within the U.S.
A White House source tells NewsNation that specifically, the Trump administration will say the use of Tylenol during pregnancy could contribute to autism risk; pregnant women may be advised to only use the pain killer if they have a high fever.
Some researchers previously have suggested there is increased autism risk with the use of acetaminophen, Tylenol’s active ingredient, which can cross the placenta in pregnant women. But other medical experts and Tylenol maker Kenvue say there’s no causal link.
Dr. Anita Patel, a pediatric critical care specialist with Children’s National Hospital, told “NewsNation Prime” she’s worried guidance from the Trump administration about Tylenol use could confuse women who are pregnant.
“I know myself and, frankly, all of my physician colleagues are incredibly worried that women are going to take these claims as truth and actually indirectly cause harm to their unborn children,” Patel said.
The physician pushed back on the idea that there is a simple solution to autism, saying, “Autism is a syndrome that we’ve been studying for decades. If there was a single cause for autism, we would have found it.”
Trump may recommend leucovorin as autism therapy
Meantime, NewsNation has also learned the Trump administration will highlight leucovorin, or folinic acid, as a potential therapy for people who have autism. It is not currently a standard treatment.
The Trump administration’s focus on autism has concerned some physicians and health advocates, who fear Kennedy will go after established vaccines. Kennedy is considered a vaccine skeptic and is seen as trying to recast the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to mirror his views.
Trump would not offer details Sunday night aboard Air Force One when he was asked about the autism announcement and whether vaccines will come up.
“Vaccines are very interesting. They can be great. But when you put the wrong stuff in them, and you know children get these massive vaccines like you’d give to a horse,” the president said. “I’ve said for a long time — I mean this is no secret — spread them out over five years. Get five shots, small ones.”