Trump admin linking paracetamol use in pregnancy to autism in kids

The Trump administration is expected to announce a link between the use of the popular medicine paracetamol by pregnant women and the risk of autism, according to reports in The Washington Post and Politico. The Post report also said that medical guidelines showed that paracetamol is safe for use in pregnancy.

Paracetamol is an over-the-counter (OTC) analgesic and pain medication whose active ingredient is known as acetaminophen. It is also known as Tylenol.

"President Donald Trump plans to announce that using Tylenol during pregnancy could contribute to autism risk and will advise pregnant women only to use it, or generic acetaminophen, for high fevers," Politico reported, quoting two Trump administration officials.

On Friday, Trump said that autism was "totally out of control" in the US, adding, "I think we, maybe, have a reason why."

Until now, medical guidelines have held that Tylenol, known as acetaminophen in the US and paracetamol elsewhere, is safe for use during pregnancy.

Trump indicated that such an announcement could come during the memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Sunday. He said, "I think we have found an answer to autism."

"On Saturday, he said this announcement would be one of the most important things that we will do."

The Wall Street Journal in September reported that US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr planned to announce the link between use of paracetamol or Tylenol in pregnancy and autism spectrum disorder.

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