Fact-checking RFK Jr's false claim linking autism to circumcision

"United States Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr claimed on October 9 that there may be a link between autism and circumcision. However, experts say his claims are not based on rigorous and robust research. There's two studies that show children who are circumcised early have double the rate of autism, and it's highly likely because they're given Tylenol, said Kennedy, who, like President Donald Trump, cited shaky research about the drug and autism when warning pregnant women against taking the acetaminophen."

"We looked at the studies, one from 2013 and another from 2015. Neither showed that circumcision causes autism. Neither had data on whether acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, was given to the patients in the studies. The two papers found some association between circumcision and autism, but both had significant limitations, including small sample sizes. Authors of both papers advised further research to confirm a relationship."

"Decades of research show that acetaminophen is safe for infants and children when used as recommended and under a paediatrician's guidance. No research shows that taking the drug as a child causes increased autism risk. Acetaminophen is not universally recommended for circumcisions. Infant circumcision is typically performed with a local anaesthetic. Some hospital guidelines advise parents to give infants acetaminophen as needed for pain in the days following the procedure."

Research finds no clear causal link between infant circumcision and autism. A government health official suggested a possible connection and attributed it to acetaminophen use, but those claims are not supported by rigorous evidence. Two studies reported an association between early circumcision and higher autism rates, yet both lacked data on acetaminophen exposure, had small sample sizes, and did not demonstrate causation. Decades of research indicate acetaminophen is safe for infants when used as recommended under paediatric guidance, and no studies show it increases autism risk. Infant circumcision typically uses a local anesthetic; some hospitals advise acetaminophen for post-procedure pain.

Read at www.aljazeera.com