White House expected to announce autism-related guidance tied to Tylenol use in pregnancy
The White House is preparing to make a major announcement related to autism.
(NBC) – The White House is preparing to make a major announcement related to autism, with President Donald Trump signaling new guidance could come as early as this week.
Speaking at the memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Trump suggested his administration has found “an answer to autism,” adding, “We’re going to be talking to the Oval Office in the White House about autism. How it happens, so we won’t let it happen anymore.”
According to The Washington Post, federal officials plan to raise concerns about the use of acetaminophen—the active ingredient in Tylenol—during pregnancy. The report says pregnant women could be advised to avoid the drug early in pregnancy unless treating a fever, amid concerns it could be linked to an increased risk of autism in children.
Asked directly if he would make that link, Trump said, “I think it’s a very big factor.”
But many medical experts strongly disagree. Acetaminophen is widely considered the safest option for pain relief during pregnancy, and most scientific literature shows no evidence connecting prenatal exposure to autism. “Study after study has actually shown that there’s no causal link with Tylenol and pregnancy and autism,” said Dr. Kavita Patel.
Johnson & Johnson, the maker of Tylenol, defended its product in a statement to NBC News: “We believe independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism.” The company warned that without the drug, pregnant women could either suffer through conditions like fever—potentially harmful to both mother and baby—or resort to riskier alternatives.
The controversy comes as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime critic of mainstream medical guidance, continues to promote theories about autism that many experts have called misleading, including previously debunked claims linking the condition to vaccines.
Trump has said the forthcoming announcement will include Kennedy, Dr. Mehmet Oz, and other advisers. “I think you’re going to find it to be amazing,” he added.
