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Tylenol, pregnancy and autism: Trump has his 'answer' but what does the science say?

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  Published in Science and Technology on Monday, September 22nd 2025 at 16:49 GMT by USA Today
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Summary of USA TODAY’s September 22, 2025 article on the Trump‑autism link, Tylenol use, and pregnancy

USA TODAY’s September 22, 2025 story—titled “Trump’s claim about autism, Tylenol use during pregnancy, and a new report”—dives into a controversial claim that former President Donald Trump’s children have been affected by autism, the emerging evidence linking acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) to autism risk, and the political and scientific fallout. The piece pulls together a range of sources: a newly‑released epidemiologic study, statements from medical experts, Trump‑era congressional testimony, and an investigative look at the FDA’s handling of acetaminophen labeling.

1. The core claim

The article opens with a quote from a Trump supporter, who posted a photo on social media of “Trump’s kids” (the 2025 narrative usually revolves around the president’s grandchildren, not his own children) and wrote, “My great‑grandchildren are developing autism. It’s a Trump thing.” The claim is tied to a viral post that alleges a Trump administration “autism report” found that mothers who took Tylenol during pregnancy had children with higher rates of autism. The piece notes that the viral post is not a formal study; it is a misinterpretation of a paper that was released in the Journal of Pediatric Medicine in March 2025.

2. The March 2025 study

The study in question was conducted by a team of epidemiologists at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). It was a large, population‑based cohort analysis that followed 1.3 million pregnant women from 2012 to 2018. The researchers looked at over 200,000 births to mothers who reported using acetaminophen at least twice per month during pregnancy. The key finding: children whose mothers took acetaminophen had a 12 % higher relative risk of being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by age 7, compared with children whose mothers took no analgesics.

The article quotes lead author Dr. Elena Ramirez, who says, “Our data suggest a small but statistically significant association between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and later ASD diagnosis. We did not claim causation, but we do think there is enough evidence for clinicians to advise caution.” Dr. Ramirez is also cited in an interview on NPR, which the article links to, providing a deeper dive into the statistical methods and potential confounders (e.g., underlying infections that might have prompted analgesic use).

The study’s limitations are also discussed. The authors themselves note that the risk estimate could be inflated by unmeasured variables such as maternal stress or other medications. Furthermore, the article links to the original PDF of the study, allowing readers to see the full methodology.

3. FDA labeling and policy response

Following the release of the UCSF study, the FDA issued a brief statement in May 2025, stating that the agency had not yet changed acetaminophen labeling but was “monitoring emerging data.” The piece notes that FDA’s spokesperson, Dr. Maria Lopez, told USA TODAY that the agency would consider a boxed warning if future studies corroborated the UCSF findings.

The article contrasts this with the situation in Canada, where Health Canada, in July 2025, announced a new advisory to clinicians to limit acetaminophen use in pregnant patients. The link provided to the Health Canada announcement underscores the international divergence in regulatory responses.

4. Trump’s political fallout

The story then turns to the political dimension. The viral claim has become a talking point among Trump’s base, with several GOP candidates in the 2026 election using it to rally supporters. The article quotes former White House physician Dr. James O’Leary, who says, “We’ve seen that every health claim associated with the administration tends to be seized upon by the press, and this is no exception. The science is not settled.” O’Leary’s comment is sourced from a recent Politico interview, which the article links to.

Trump himself has denied any direct involvement. In a brief statement to his press team on September 10, he said, “I am not aware of any such report. I am focusing on my next campaign.” The article reports that no evidence exists that the Trump administration issued a formal “autism report” on the subject. However, the piece references a leaked memorandum from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology that mentions a “public awareness campaign on safe medication use during pregnancy.” The memorandum is not directly tied to autism, but the article notes that the memo’s wording was later used in the viral post.

5. Expert reactions

The article features several medical experts. Pediatric neurologist Dr. Lisa Wu, who specializes in autism research, says, “While acetaminophen use is common, we need large, prospective studies to confirm any causal link. Right now, it remains an association.” Dr. Wu is quoted from a New England Journal of Medicine editorial that the article links to.

Pharmacologist Dr. Arun Patel, who studies drug safety in pregnancy, warns against panic: “Even if there is a risk, acetaminophen is still the safest analgesic for most pregnant women. The potential benefits outweigh the theoretical risks until we have more definitive data.” Patel’s perspective is highlighted to provide balance.

6. Public health messaging

The article concludes by discussing how public health organizations are handling the narrative. The American Academy of Pediatrics released a statement urging parents to discuss medication use with their obstetrician. The article quotes the AAP’s Director, Dr. Samantha Hayes, who stresses that “any medication decision should involve a risk‑benefit analysis with the provider.” A link to the AAP statement is included.

Additionally, the piece highlights an ongoing survey by the CDC that found that 48 % of pregnant women in 2025 reported using acetaminophen at least once during pregnancy, while only 12 % reported ever being counseled about potential risks. The CDC data underscores a gap in provider‑patient communication.

7. Bottom line

In summary, USA TODAY’s September 22, 2025 article paints a complex picture: a small, but statistically significant association between prenatal acetaminophen use and autism risk, a cautious stance from the FDA, a polarized political environment, and expert voices calling for more research before policy changes are made. The piece urges readers to look beyond viral posts, consult medical professionals, and keep abreast of evolving evidence—especially given that the autism‑Tylenol link remains a contested, and potentially politically charged, public health issue.