RFK Jr Report May Tie Tylenol in Pregnancy to Autism

Clear Facts

• U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to announce a possible link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism, according to those familiar with the matter.
• Kenvue, the maker of Tylenol, firmly denies any causal relationship and advises pregnant women to consult healthcare professionals before taking any over-the-counter medication.
• Recent scientific reviews and court decisions have rejected claims of a proven connection between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and autism, stating a lack of solid evidence.

Tylenol, an acetaminophen-based pain reliever, is commonly used, especially among pregnant women.

Shares of Kenvue, Tylenol’s manufacturer, dropped 14% after the news emerged.

Kennedy’s anticipated report will also mention that folinic acid, a folate derivative, could help manage autism symptoms.

Kenvue responded by stating there is no proven link between Tylenol in pregnancy and autism.

The company advised expecting mothers: “Talk to your healthcare professionals before taking OTC medications, including Tylenol.”

Kenvue added that the FDA and major medical organizations support acetaminophen’s safety in pregnancy.

Kennedy has previously associated autism with vaccines and possible environmental toxins, though decades of research have not identified a single cause.

The National Institutes of Health, under Kennedy’s oversight, has launched an Autism Data Science Initiative to study potential causes and treatment outcomes.

The Wall Street Journal reported Kennedy’s findings may discuss folate levels and Tylenol as factors in autism risk.

“What’s striking to me is that this report is supposed to uncover all these new causes, and so far, all we’re learning is that they’re rehashing existing research,” said Dr. David Mandell, professor of psychiatry and autism expert at the University of Pennsylvania.

“We have no understanding of why there might be a biological reason that Tylenol would cause autism.”

A federal judge ruled in 2023 against lawsuits alleging Tylenol causes autism, citing lack of scientific evidence.

Those cases were dismissed, though an appeal is scheduled for court next month.

“We are using gold-standard science to get to the bottom of America’s unprecedented rise in autism rates. Until we release the final report, any claims about its contents are nothing more than speculation,” said an HHS Spokesperson.

Children’s Health Defense, an organization formerly led by Kennedy, has posted online about a potential Tylenol-autism link.

Brian Hooker, chief scientific officer at CHD, stated in a recent video that Kennedy’s upcoming report could address Tylenol, vaccines, and vaccine components.

A study cited by CHD suggested a possible association but stressed more research is needed and recommended pregnant women use the lowest effective dose.

A major 2024 Swedish study found no evidence supporting a causal relationship between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and autism in children.

“There is no clear evidence that proves a direct relationship between the prudent use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and fetal developmental issues,” said Christopher Zahn, chief of clinical practice for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

This evolving subject remains under rigorous scientific review as courts and regulatory bodies uphold the importance of evidence-based guidance for American families.

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