President Donald Trump has advised pregnant women not to take Tylenol, citing an unproven claim that links the painkiller to autism. His remarks contradicted medical opinion, where he encourages pregnant women to stop taking the widely used painkiller unless there is a necessity to do so. What does science say, however? Does Tylenol cause autism, and what are scientists aware of, autism, its increase, and possible causes of autism, e.g., folinic acid supplements or leucovorin autism?
This article not only exposes the facts behind the headlines but also examines the recent scientific research and dissects what causes autism in the course of pregnancy as defined by medical professionals.
What is Autism?
Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological disorder that has no cure and is a lifelong condition, but it influences the perceptions, communication, and interaction of the affected individuals with the world. It is called a spectrum because it includes a wide range of characteristics.
A few autistic people might be non-speaking and of high support needs, and others might be of above-average intelligence but struggling to socialize and communicate. These are typical features such as high interests, the tendency to keep to routine and repetitive movements or actions.
Autism is neither a learning disability nor a mental health condition, though approximately one-third of autistic individuals can also have a learning disability, and mental health issues are more prevalent in the autistic population. Doctors use behavioral tests to diagnose the problem, and not blood tests or brain scans.
Increasing Autism Rates around the World.
The diagnosis of autism has risen tremendously in the past few decades. In 2022, researchers identified autism in one out of every 31 children in the United States, compared to one out of 149 in 2000. In the UK, 2018 statistics showed that one in 34 children aged 10 to 14 years had an autism diagnosis.
Experts emphasize that this rise mainly reflects greater awareness, improved diagnostic tools, and broader definitions of autism. For example, doctors once diagnosed conditions like Asperger Syndrome separately, but they are now classified within the autism spectrum.
A 2007 UK study found that autism rates were the same in both adults and children when researchers used identical diagnostic criteria. This suggests that autism has always existed at similar levels but often went unrecognized in the past.
Nevertheless, political leaders, such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have claimed autism to be a preventable epidemic, commonly referring to pseudoscientific or disproven hypotheses like vaccine connections.
Does Tylenol Cause Autism?
The question that most parents are currently posing is the following: does Tylenol cause autism?
The answer to the short question is no- there is no established causal relationship that exists between the use of Tylenol during pregnancy and autism.
Although Trump and his administration have pointed to certain studies that indicate an association, the scientific community at large has made it very clear that autism is a complex interplay of genetic and environmental causes, rather than a single drug.
In 2023, a review of 46 studies by Mount Sinai was a major review. Approximately 50 per cent of them indicated the potential linkage of acetaminophen (the active component of Tylenol) with the neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and ADHD. However, researchers found variations in study quality, and most studies included confounding factors, so they could not establish a direct correlation.
In contrast, a large Swedish study of 2.5 million births in 2024 showed that Tylenol use during pregnancy did not increase autism risk after adjusting for genetic factors. A 2025 Japanese study came to the same conclusions.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the UK’s Royal College of Obstetricians still encourage pregnant women to use paracetamol as the first-choice painkiller, but they urge taking it only at the lowest possible dose and for the shortest duration.
What Causes Autism during pregnancy ?
Autism does not have a single cause. Instead, it develops from a combination of genetic and environmental factors that influence early brain development. During pregnancy, certain conditions may increase the likelihood of autism in children.
According to the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, possible risk factors during pregnancy include:
- Advanced parental age (either mother or father)
- Prenatal exposure to air pollution, pesticides, or harmful chemicals
- Maternal health issues, such as obesity, diabetes, or immune system disorders..
Other birth-related factors such as:
- Extreme prematurity or very low birth weight
- Birth complications, particularly those that reduce oxygen supply to the baby’s brain
Children may inherit these factors from their parents, or they may appear as new mutations during pregnancy. Researchers emphasize that no single factor causes autism. Most researchers agree it results from a complex interplay between genetics and prenatal environment, and not from one medication or event alone.
.
The relationship between Folinic Acid Supplements and Autism.
The potential of nutrition in pregnancy is one of the areas of increased research. Folate (vitamin B9) supports brain and nervous system development, and doctors regularly prescribe folic acid supplements to women planning pregnancy.
Norwegian, Israeli and US studies indicate that mothers who consumed folic acid during and around the time of conception were 30-70% less likely to have a child with autism. Nevertheless, the findings in studies differ.
This has made researchers investigate folinic acid supplements (another form of folate). Folic acid is more effective in penetrating the blood-brain barrier than normal folic acid. This has attracted attention to whether folinic acid autism therapies would decrease risks or enhance developmental outcomes.
Leucovorin in Autism 
Leucovorin (or folinic acid), is a drug that is often taken in cancer therapy to minimize the side effects of chemotherapy regimens. It has recently been tried as a possible treatment of autistic children, especially those with folate metabolism defects.
In a 2016 clinical trial of 48 autistic children, the participants receiving leucovorin improved in verbal communication relative to a placebo control group. The mixed but promising results have been reported in other small studies.
Although the concept of leucovorin in autism and leucovorin in autistic children is developing enthusiasm, experts are warning that investigations are still in their infancy. Before leucovorin can be prescribed as a standard treatment, larger and longer-lasting trials are required.
Pregnancy Medical Advice.
Health officials still stress the following:
- In pregnancy, paracetamol is still the safest choice of pain and fever.
- It must be administered with the lowest possible dose, at the lowest or minimum dose, and within the shortest period of time.
- Paracetamol is an important medication when it comes to high fevers during pregnancy since this is a serious threat to the baby.
- Ibuprofen is not usually advised in later pregnancy as it may influence the circulation and functioning of the kidneys of the baby.
Pregnant women should also use folic acid supplements prior to pregnancy, and at an early stage of pregnancy, as it helps in brain and neural development of the baby.
Conclusion
So, does Tylenol cause autism? Current evidence strongly shows that autism does not result from a single factor but from a combination of genetic predispositions and environmental influences.
While studies continue to explore potential associations between medications and neurodevelopment, paracetamol remains the safest and most widely recommended treatment for pain and fever in pregnancy.
At the same time, research into folinic acid supplements, folinic acid autism therapies, and the use of leucovorin for autism offers promising directions for supporting children already diagnosed with autism.
As science evolves, one thing remains clear: expecting mothers should always seek professional medical advice rather than relying on political claims or
YOU MAY ALSO READ: A Healthy Diet: Your Key to a Healthy Body and Better Lifestyle Nutrition
Morning Routine for Success: Healthy Morning Habits of Successful People
