On September 22, 2025, the White House, in coordination with the Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announced that it believes that taking acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, while pregnant may cause autism and ADHD.
Several scientific and medical experts have responded with concerns that the administration is misrepresenting the current state of the science. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists stated, “[t]here is no clear evidence that proves a direct relationship between the prudent use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and fetal developmental issues." The Autism Science Foundation also said, "[a]ny association between acetaminophen and autism is based on limited, conflicting, and inconsistent science and is premature given the current science."
Update: On September 26, 2025, President Trump doubled down on the administration’s announcement that acetaminophen may cause autism if taken during pregnancy, despite public outcry from the medical community opposing the initial announcement.
Update: On October 29, 2025, Secretary Kennedy admitted that “the causative association with Tylenol . . . is not sufficient to say it definitely causes autism, but it is very suggestive.”