25/09/2025
More controversy in the world of Autism and ADHD in recent days, following the announcement of the US Department of Health and Human Services secretary Robert Kennedy and US President Donald Trump, that the use of paracetamol/acetaminophen medications in pregnancy is linked to increase risks of Autism development in children.
The recent announcement follows an article from Harvard University in August 2025, after a new study published findings that the anti-inflammatory medication of paracetamol/acetaminophen (told as Tylenol in the US or Panadol in Aus), when taken during pregnancy can increase the risks of neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism and ADHD. The study investigated 46 other published studies on the use of paracetamol/acetaminophen and neurodevelopmental disorders, and found a link to the use of the medication, especially if the medication is taken for 4 weeks or longer.
As a result of this finding, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have now issued a statement on this, citing “considerable evidence about the potential risks” and have requested a label change for paracetamol/acetaminophen products to contain a warning about this risk. The FDA have also written to all US-based doctors to inform them of the study findings and risks.
Ironically, the US based Autism Science Foundation itself issued a public statement on this topic to dismiss the claims of a link to paracetamol/acetaminophen medications, including dismissing the recommended treatment of folinic acid (a folate supplement) for Autism/ADHD as low folate levels have been found in a number of people diagnosed with Autism/ADHD.
While Autism and ADHD are deemed as “neurodevelopmental disorders”, being of the development of the brain and nervous system, this does NOT mean that these conditions are genetic. Both Autism and ADHD have a number of root causes, and in my experience, there’s a different combination of root causes in each case of these conditions. It’s never just the one cause, nor the same cause in different people. This is why it’s been so difficult to find a scientific consensus on Autism and ADHD, because scientific studies typically only test for ONE thing at a time.
Hence there ARE published studies on the effects of the use of paracetamol/acetaminophen medications in pregnancy increasing the risks of Autism, but the published studies are inconsistent. There are also studies of the use of paracetamol/acetaminophen medications in early childhood being linked to Autism too, as well as other medications (including antibiotics, and more). Some studies show there IS a link and others show otherwise. But science is NOT about consensus, but about the QUALITY of the evidence. If even one study finds that these medications are linked to Autism and one study says it doesn’t, which one should you believe?! For the health and safety of the pregnant mother and the foetus and baby, you should err on the side of caution and avoid taking this medication in pregnancy or given to the baby or child.
Why is paracetamol/acetaminophen being used in pregnancy or childhood? This medication is a pain-reliever, anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic, to reduce fevers in pregnant women and in babies and children. But despite popular beliefs of doctors and the public, fevers are not a dangerous thing! Fevers are a NATURAL immune system response to an infection, as the fever can increase body temperature to slow, stop and even kill the pathogen causing the infection as it is typically limited to a small temperature range to function. Fevers also trigger the body to make more white blood cells to fight the infection! Hence the increased body temperature in an infection can reduce the severity and duration of infections by stimulating the immune system and other defences! This is what we want, as it’s a good thing! Unfortunately, paracetamol/acetaminophen medications reduce inflammation and fevers and therefore also reduce immune system function to fight the infection… leading to a longer and more severe infection. This is insane.
There are other known root causes and factors of the development of Autism and ADHD conditions. If these causes are investigated, identified and treated, the symptoms of these conditions can reduce and even be reversed.
Stay healthy!
References:
Autism Science Foundation. (2025). ASF Statement on White House Announcement on Autism. Retrieved 25-9-25 from https://autismsciencefoundation.org/press_releases/asf-statement-wh-briefing/
Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2025). FDA Responds to Evidence of Possible Association Between Autism and Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy. Retrieved 25-9-25 from https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-responds-evidence-possible-association-between-autism-and-acetaminophen-use-during-pregnancy
Harvard University. (2025). Using acetaminophen during pregnancy may increase children’s autism and ADHD risk. Retrieved 25-9-25 from https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/using-acetaminophen-during-pregnancy-may-increase-childrens-autism-and-adhd-risk/
Health and Human Services. (2025). Autism Announcement Fact Sheet. Retrieved 25-9-25 from https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/autism-announcement-fact-sheet.html
New York, NY (September 22, 2025) We are deeply concerned by today’s announcements from President Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy suggesting that taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) during pregnancy causes autism, that a medicine derived from folate can be used to treat symptoms of autism, an...
