Medical experts slam Trump’s claim that paracetamol causes autism

Trump made the controversial announcement yesterday

Trump, alongside health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, claimed that paracetamol, the main ingredient in Tylenol, 'is no good' and that pregnant women in particular should avoid it.

He insisted: "I’ll say it. It’s not good. For this reason [the FDA] are strongly recommending that women limit Tylenol use during pregnancy unless medically necessary."

He went on to claim that one in 12 boys is now diagnosed with autism, adding that it's 'among the most alarming public health developments in history'.

When in fact, the National Institutes of Health recently stated that the figure amongst children is 1 in 31 today.

Many doctors, experts, and health advisers immediately slammed Trump's claims, and even the White House had to issue a statement to diffuse the falsely spread information.

A statement shared by the White House seems to have contradicted Trump's comments, stating that 'further research is needed to confirm the association and determine causality'.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has also shared its thoughts on the matter, stating, 'there is no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children'.

The NHS guidelines also say that "paracetamol is the first choice of painkiller if you’re pregnant. It’s commonly taken during pregnancy and does not harm your baby."

Chief safety officer at the MHRA, Dr Alison Cave, added: "Paracetamol remains the recommended pain relief option for pregnant women when used as directed.

"Pregnant women should continue to follow existing NHS guidance and speak to their healthcare professional if they have questions about any medication during pregnancy.

"Untreated pain and fever can pose risks to the unborn baby.

"So it is important to manage these symptoms with the recommended treatment."

Additionally, Tylenol maker Kenvue told the BBC that they 'strongly disagree with any suggestion otherwise and are deeply concerned with the health risk this poses for expecting mothers'.

Dr Monique Botha, whose studies specialise in bias in autism research at the University of Durham, said to Sky News that Trump's claims were likely made to anger parents with autistic children.

"Families with autistic children are often struggling with under-resourced care, and someone standing up and declaring that they've potentially found the cause of autism, when it's so misguided, isn't going to change anything for them," Dr Botha said.