The U.S. Division of Well being and Human Companies is planning to launch a report that may reportedly hyperlink autism and acetaminophen use in being pregnant, in accordance with The Wall Street Journal. The division has confirmed a report is within the works, however has not revealed its conclusions.
Drug maker Kenvue, which sells acetaminophen underneath the model identify Tylenol, noticed its shares droop following the Journal’s report, dropping more than 10% on Friday.
Well being Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ihas made investigating autism a cornerstone of his efforts on the division. In accordance with the Journal, the report may also make a hyperlink between folate deficiency and autism. However in statements to different media retailers, an HHS spokesperson mentioned the Journal’s reporting was “hypothesis.”
“We’re utilizing gold-standard science to resolve America’s unprecedented rise in autism charges,” a spokesperson for the division mentioned.
What the science says about acetaminophen and autism
Some studies have discovered correlations between taking the frequent painkiller in being pregnant and the chance of youngsters growing neurodevelopmental circumstances. However these research don’t show a hyperlink, and different outcomes recommend in any other case: A 2024 Journal of the American Medical Affiliation (JAMA) examine—the biggest on acetaminophen thus far—discovered that there was no affiliation between acetaminophen use throughout being pregnant and elevated danger of autism, consideration deficit and hyperactivity dysfunction, or mental incapacity.
The report comes months after Kennedy promised HHS would undertake a “large testing and analysis effort” to discover a trigger for autism as quickly as September. A mountain of analysis means that autism has no single trigger, however is probably going a mixture of things, together with genetics. Kennedy has since walked that timeline again, telling CNN, “it’ll in all probability take us one other six months.”
No confirmed hyperlink
Tylenol’s maker Kenvue instructed Quick Firm in an announcement that there isn’t a confirmed hyperlink between acetaminophen and autism.
“Thus far, the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) and main medical organizations agree on the protection of acetaminophen, its use throughout being pregnant, and the data offered on the label.”
“We advise anticipating moms to talk to their healthcare professionals earlier than taking any over-the-counter drugs, together with acetaminophen, as they’re greatest positioned to advise their sufferers on whether or not taking acetaminophen is acceptable based mostly on their distinctive medical circumstances.”
The FDA has not found any “clear proof” that acetaminophen throughout being pregnant “causes antagonistic being pregnant, delivery, neurobehavioral, or developmental outcomes.” It additionally recommends that pregnant individuals discuss to their care suppliers earlier than utilizing any drugs.
Quick Firm reached out to the division of Well being and Human Companies for remark, however didn’t hear again by the point of publication.