On , reports surfaced that U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to highlight a possible link between prenatal use of Tylenol (acetaminophen) and autism in children; HHS called the media account “speculation” while scientists and the drugmaker say evidence remains mixed.
- HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reportedly will present a report suggesting a possible association between prenatal acetaminophen use and autism.
- The Department of Health and Human Services described press coverage of the report’s contents as “speculation.”
- Kenvue, maker of Tylenol, and major medical groups say current regulatory guidance supports acetaminophen use in pregnancy.
- Large population studies show inconsistent results; one long-term Swedish study of 2.5 million children found no increased autism risk.
- Experts note factors such as indication for use, dose, and duration complicate efforts to isolate medication effects from underlying maternal health conditions.
Verified Facts
Media outlets reported that Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. intends to announce a potential link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism. The story originated from a Wall Street Journal report; HHS responded that details about an unreleased HHS report are speculative until the final document is published.
Kenvue, the manufacturer of Tylenol (active ingredient acetaminophen), issued statements saying it has repeatedly reviewed the science and that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and leading medical organizations continue to regard acetaminophen as an appropriate option for pain and fever during pregnancy when used as directed.
Major professional bodies such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) have said there is no clear evidence proving a direct causal relationship between prudent acetaminophen use in pregnancy and developmental problems in the fetus. ACOG emphasizes that neurodevelopmental conditions are multifactorial and hard to tie to a single exposure.
Large-scale epidemiological studies have produced mixed results. CBS News referenced a recent Swedish cohort that tracked about 2.5 million children across 25 years and found no association between maternal acetaminophen use and childhood autism in that dataset. Other smaller or differently designed studies have reported positive, negative, or null associations.
Context & Impact
Autism prevalence among children born in the United States has risen over roughly the past 25 years, according to CDC surveillance, but reasons for that increase are not settled among scientists. Changes in diagnostic practices, awareness, and reporting, as well as genetic and environmental factors, are all considered contributors.
If an official HHS report were to assert a link, it could prompt updates to clinical guidance, product labeling, public-health communications, and research funding priorities. Yet health authorities and professional societies typically weigh totality of evidence before changing practice recommendations.
Pregnant patients and clinicians face practical trade-offs: untreated fever or severe pain can carry risks, and acetaminophen is one of the few analgesic options generally recommended for pregnancy. Any policy shifts would need to consider alternative treatments and the harms of untreated maternal illness.
Official Statements
“We are using gold-standard science to get to the bottom of America’s unprecedented rise in autism rates. Until we release the final report, any claims about its contents are nothing more than speculation.”
HHS spokesperson
“We have continuously evaluated the science and continue to believe there is no causal link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism.”
Kenvue (Tylenol maker)
“There is no clear evidence that proves a direct relationship between the prudent use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and fetal developmental issues.”
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
Unconfirmed
- Precise conclusions and recommendations of the HHS report (the department has not released the final document).
- Any definitive, causal claim that acetaminophen taken during pregnancy causes autism in children.
- Timetable for publication of a final HHS report beyond media reports; NIH leadership previously said full findings could take up to a year.
Bottom Line
Current public discussion is driven by an impending HHS report and media coverage, but medical experts, the drugmaker, and major professional societies emphasize that evidence is mixed and not definitive. Pregnant patients should consult clinicians before changing medication use; public-health guidance will depend on a careful, transparent review of all available studies.