Executive Summary
The Story So Far
Why This Matters
Who Thinks What?
President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he plans to make an “amazing” autism-related announcement from the Oval Office on Monday, stating he believes “we found an answer to autism.” The upcoming news conference is expected to link the development of autism in children to the use of the pain reliever Tylenol during pregnancy and low folate levels, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post. However, this potential link is largely disputed by Tylenol maker Kenvue and numerous medical experts, who assert there is no credible evidence supporting such a connection.
Trump’s Preview and Expected Details
During a speech at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service on Sunday, President Trump previewed the upcoming announcement, calling it “one of the most important news conferences I’ll ever have.” He told attendees he believed they would find it “amazing” and that his administration “won’t let it happen anymore.” Trump did not offer specific details on Sunday regarding the content of the announcement.
Reports suggest Monday’s announcement will propose a link between autism development in children and the use of acetaminophen, the generic name for Tylenol, during pregnancy. It is also expected to highlight low levels of folate, a vitamin crucial for proper fetal brain and spine development, as a contributing factor. The announcement is further anticipated to name folinic acid, also known as leucovorin, as a potential method to decrease autism symptoms.
Medical Context and Industry Response
Folate supplements are already widely recommended during pregnancy to help prevent neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. Acetaminophen is a commonly used pain reliever in the U.S., including among pregnant women. Health officials are reportedly planning to caution women against using the medication early in pregnancy unless they have a fever.
Kenvue, the manufacturer of Tylenol, stated earlier this month that it had engaged in a “scientific exchange” with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services officials. The company urged pregnant women to consult their healthcare providers before taking any over-the-counter medication. In a Sunday statement, Kenvue asserted that “Acetaminophen is the safest pain reliever option for pregnant women as needed throughout their entire pregnancy.”
Kenvue further emphasized that “over a decade of rigorous research, endorsed by leading medical professionals and global health regulators, confirms there is no credible evidence linking acetaminophen to autism.” The company added that it stands with public health and medical professionals who have reviewed the science and agree with this conclusion, pledging to explore all options to protect the health interests of American women and children.
Expert Consensus and Scientific Research
Medical experts generally concur with Kenvue’s position. Dr. Christopher Zahn, chief of clinical practice for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, stated there is “no clear evidence that proves a direct relationship between the prudent use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and fetal developmental issues.” He noted that neurodevelopmental disorders are multifactorial and difficult to attribute to a single cause, advising that pregnant patients should not be deterred from using acetaminophen due to its proven benefits.
The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine highlights that untreated fever and pain during pregnancy can carry their own risks for both mother and infant, including miscarriage, birth defects, and high blood pressure. While the incidence of autism in the U.S. is rising—about 1 in 31 children diagnosed by age 8 in 2022, up from 1 in 36 in 2020, according to a CDC report—experts generally agree that there is no clear evidence directly linking this increase to acetaminophen use during pregnancy.
Several studies have investigated the association between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and autism, with experts noting the science is not settled. A 2024 study published in JAMA, which analyzed over 2 million children born in Sweden, found that acetaminophen use during pregnancy was not associated with an increased risk of autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or other neurodevelopmental disorders when comparing exposed children to their siblings and unexposed peers.
HHS Context
The Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has previously promoted debunked theories linking vaccines to autism. In April, he pledged that his agency would provide answers on the causes of autism this month. Thousands of researchers have applied for federal funding for autism research announced by Kennedy in April, with the U.S. National Institutes of Health expected to announce up to 25 awardees for the $50 million initiative this month.
