Tylenol Pregnancy Concerns Spark Autism Debate

A Wall Street Journal report revealed that U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to suggest that taking Tylenol during pregnancy may be linked to autism. Tylenol, produced by Kenvue (KVUE), is one of the most commonly used over-the-counter pain relievers. This claim challenges long-standing medical guidelines that consider acetaminophen, Tylenol’s active ingredient, safe for expecting mothers.

Kennedy is also expected to highlight folinic acid, a form of folate, as a possible therapy for some individuals with autism. The final report has not yet been released, and officials from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have emphasized that current statements remain speculative.

Stock Market Reaction

The news led to a sharp market response. Kenvue shares fell by 14% after the report surfaced. Since Tylenol is widely used, especially by pregnant women, concerns about safety have the potential to significantly affect both public confidence and corporate performance.

Kenvue released a statement reaffirming its stance that no scientific evidence shows a causal link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism. The company continues to advise pregnant women to consult their doctors before using any over-the-counter medicines.

Scientific Consensus on Acetaminophen

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and leading medical organizations maintain that acetaminophen is safe to use during pregnancy when taken as directed. Medical experts note that decades of research have not established a biological mechanism connecting Tylenol to autism.

Some researchers, however, continue to examine whether factors such as folate levels or environmental exposures could play a role. The upcoming report is expected to revisit these theories, though many in the scientific community remain skeptical about drawing new conclusions from existing data.

Autism Research Initiatives

Kennedy has made autism research a central part of his health agenda. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), under his leadership, has launched the Autism Data Science Initiative, a $50 million program aimed at analyzing large datasets to identify potential contributors to autism. More than 100 research proposals have been submitted, and funding awards are expected to be announced later this year.

Despite Kennedy’s claims, experts emphasize that no single environmental factor or medication has been proven to cause autism. Autism is widely recognized as a complex condition influenced by multiple genetic and environmental factors.

Legal Battles Over Tylenol

The debate over Tylenol and autism has also played out in court. In late 2023, a federal judge dismissed hundreds of lawsuits alleging that prenatal Tylenol use causes autism. The judge ruled that expert testimony presented in these cases lacked sufficient scientific evidence. Following that decision, the lawsuits were dismissed in federal court. An appeals court is expected to review the matter soon.

Anti-Vaccine Group Forecast

Children’s Health Defense (CHD), the anti-vaccine organization formerly led by Kennedy, has been active on social media discussing a potential connection between Tylenol and autism. Brian Hooker, CHD’s chief scientific officer, suggested in a recent video that Kennedy’s upcoming report will address Tylenol, as well as vaccines and their components.

CHD has highlighted an August study that reported a possible association between prenatal acetaminophen use and neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism. The authors of that study recommended pregnant women use the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary time. They also stressed that untreated fever during pregnancy carries its own risks, such as neural tube defects.

Other research paints a different picture. A large 2024 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, involving 2.4 million children in Sweden, found no evidence of a causal link. According to Christopher Zahn of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, no clear scientific evidence supports a direct connection between prudent acetaminophen use during pregnancy and developmental problems in children.

Expert Reactions

Dr. David Mandell, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania and an autism specialist, expressed skepticism about the forthcoming report. He noted that while it revisits earlier research, it does not provide new biological explanations for how acetaminophen could cause autism.

Medical authorities continue to stress that pregnant women should follow established medical guidance and consult their doctors before making decisions about pain management.