WHO clears the air, says Paracetamol safe; refutes Trump's autism claims
PTC News Desk: After US President Donald Trump suggested a connection between autism and childhood vaccinations, as well as the use of painkiller Tylenol (paracetamol in India) during pregnancy, the World Health Organization (WHO) rejected the claim on Tuesday.
The WHO clarified that research on any possible link between paracetamol use during pregnancy and autism has shown inconsistent results. Addressing Trump’s remarks at a press briefing in Geneva, WHO spokesperson Tarik Jašarević stated, “The evidence remains inconsistent. What we do know is that vaccines do not cause autism. Vaccines save millions of lives, and this is a scientifically proven fact that should not be doubted.”
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) echoed the WHO’s stance. “In the EU, paracetamol (acetaminophen) can be used to reduce pain or fever during pregnancy if clinically needed. There is currently no new evidence requiring changes to EU recommendations,” the agency said. EMA’s Chief Medical Officer Steffen Thirstrup added: “Paracetamol remains an important option to treat pain or fever in pregnant women. Our advice is based on rigorous scientific assessment, and we have found no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children.”
Trump, calling the rise in reported autism cases a “horrible crisis”, urged a re-examination of the supposed link. “I want to say it like it is: don’t take Tylenol. Don’t take it,” he said, making the statement alongside Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. Kennedy added, “Some 40 to 70 per cent of mothers of children with autism believe their child was injured by a vaccine. President Trump believes we should listen to these mothers instead of gaslighting and marginalising them like prior administrations.”
Following Trump’s remarks, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it would add warning labels to acetaminophen products, stating that prenatal use “may be associated with an increased risk of autism or neurodevelopmental disorders”.
Medical experts also criticised Trump’s claim. Steven J Fleischman, President of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said, “Suggestions that acetaminophen use in pregnancy causes autism are not only highly concerning to clinicians but also irresponsible when considering the harmful and confusing message they send to pregnant patients. Acetaminophen is one of the few options available to pregnant patients to treat pain and fever, which, if left untreated, can be harmful.”
In India, the Union Health Ministry has yet to issue a statement on the matter.
- With inputs from agencies
