California Pushes Back on Tylenol-Autism Claims

CALIFORNIA – On September 23, California health officials issued a statement on acetaminophen use during pregnancy.

“Americans deserve clear medical guidance that is the result of a rigorous scientific process,” officials from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the Office of the Surgeon General (OSG), and the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) said.

The announcement follows President Donald Trump amplifying claims that Tylenol (acetaminophen) use in pregnancy may cause autism.

State officials urged the public to rely on credible medical guidance and consult licensed health care providers when making health decisions.

Trump points to studies linking prenatal acetaminophen use to autism and ADHD

Trump cited large-scale cohort studies, including the Boston Birth Cohort.

The 2019 study found that higher levels of acetaminophen metabolites in umbilical cord blood were associated with an increased risk of childhood ADHD and autism in a dose-response pattern.

The authors said their findings support earlier studies linking prenatal acetaminophen exposure to neurodevelopmental risks and warrant further research.

The FDA has begun the process of updating acetaminophen labels to note evidence linking prenatal use to possible risks of autism and ADHD in children.

The agency also issued a related letter alerting physicians nationwide.

State health officials disagree

California health officials cited organizations that say there is no strong evidence linking acetaminophen to autism.

“The Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (SDBP) has concluded that decades of research shows that autism has complex causes involving both genetics and environmental influences working together and that there is no strong evidence showing a causal relationship between the appropriate use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) during pregnancy and harmful effects on fetal development,” the agencies said.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) called the current federal administration’s opinions ‘irresponsible.’