In a shocking statement yesterday President Donald Trump reignited controversy by suggesting that paracetamol (acetaminophen) – one of the most commonly used medications during pregnancy – could be a cause of autism. Speaking alongside Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump claimed that expectant mothers should avoid using the drug unless “absolutely necessary,” implying a strong link between prenatal paracetamol use and developmental disorders such as autism and ADHD.
The remarks have sent shockwaves through families worldwide, especially parents of autistic children and those currently expecting. Social media platforms have exploded with worried parents sharing fears that they may have harmed their unborn child by taking medication recommended by their doctor for pain or fever. Many health experts are warning that Trump’s claims are irresponsible and misleading, creating unnecessary panic and potentially dangerous decision-making.
The Science – Association Is Not Causation
While some observational studies have shown a possible statistical link between paracetamol use during pregnancy and later diagnoses of autism, these studies cannot prove causation. In many cases, other factors – such as infections or high fevers during pregnancy – may be the real underlying issue.
Crucially, a major Swedish study covering over 2.5 million children, published in 2024, found no significant increased risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability when genetic and environmental factors were properly accounted for. This suggests that paracetamol itself is unlikely to be a direct cause.
Medical professionals also stress that untreated high fever during pregnancy carries its own serious risks to both mother and baby. Scaring women away from safe, regulated medicines could result in far more harm than good.
Why Trump’s Statement Is So Dangerous
Trump’s comments are not just a scientific issue – they are a public health risk. By framing paracetamol as a likely cause of autism, he risks:
• Stigmatising mothers, making them feel guilt or blame for their child’s autism.
• Undermining trust in health authorities, as parents turn to online misinformation rather than qualified doctors.
• Discouraging necessary medical treatment, leading to complications from untreated illness during pregnancy.
• Fueling fear and division, with families left confused and anxious.
Perhaps most alarmingly, no new peer-reviewed evidence was presented at Trump’s press conference. The claims were based on reinterpretations of older, inconclusive studies, many of which scientists have already criticised for methodological weaknesses.
Scare-Mongering at Its Worst
Autism is a complex condition with genetic, neurological, and environmental factors at play. Oversimplifying its causes into a single “villain” – whether vaccines, paracetamol, or anything else – is deeply damaging to families and to the autistic community itself.
Leaders have a duty to communicate carefully, especially on sensitive health issues. Trump’s decision to make sweeping public claims without robust evidence risks igniting widespread fear, while doing little to support autistic people or their families.
At Back 4 Good we urge parents to speak with their healthcare provider, rely on trusted medical sources, and not be swayed by political headlines. The truth is rarely as simple – or as frightening – as the scare stories suggest.
