- Jeremy van Dyk
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European Regulators Push Back on Trump’s Autism Warning
During a recent press conference, U.S. President Donald Trump urged pregnant women to stop taking acetaminophen, claiming the over‑the‑counter pain reliever raises the risk of autism in children. He also suggested that the measles‑mumps‑rubella (MMR) vaccine should be split into three separate shots, echoing long‑debunked vaccine‑autism myths. None of these statements were backed by new scientific data; they appeared to be personal opinions repeated on a public stage.
What the Scientific Evidence Actually Shows
Health experts across Europe and the United States have repeatedly emphasized that the evidence does not support a causal link between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and autism spectrum disorders. Sura Alwan, executive director of the PEAR‑Net Society, said, "The evidence does not support a causal link between acetaminophen or vaccines and autism." Likewise, psychologist Helen Tager‑Flusberg warned that discouraging a safe fever‑reducer could leave pregnant women without effective options for managing pain or fever.
In the United States, a federal judge recently dismissed expert testimony from Harvard’s Andrea Baccarelli, who had been paid roughly $150,000 to argue that prenatal acetaminophen exposure can cause neurodevelopmental disorders. Judge Denise Cote described the testimony as "unreliable," noting that Baccarelli selectively highlighted studies that fit his hypothesis while downplaying contradictory findings. Ironically, Baccarelli co‑authored a 2022 paper that cautioned against any change in clinical practice based on the existing data.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and national regulators such as the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) continue to list acetaminophen as a first‑line analgesic for pregnant women when used at recommended doses. Their guidance stresses that untreated fever or severe pain can pose greater risks to both mother and fetus than the low‑dose medication. In short, acetaminophen remains one of the safest pain‑relief options available during pregnancy, provided it is taken under medical supervision.
For expecting mothers, the practical takeaway is clear: talk to a healthcare provider before stopping any medication. Alternatives like ibuprofen are generally avoided in the third trimester, while prescription opioids carry their own set of risks. By following professional advice, pregnant women can balance symptom relief with the best possible outcomes for their babies.
The clash between political rhetoric and established medical science is not new, but the potential fallout is real. Unfounded claims can sow fear, leading some women to forgo necessary treatment and inadvertently exposing themselves and their unborn children to avoidable complications. As the debate continues, the scientific community remains steadfast: the current body of research does not justify alarm over acetaminophen use in pregnancy.
