Trump will reportedly link autism to pain reliever Tylenol - but many experts are sceptical

"At an Oval Office event on Monday, the US president will reportedly advise pregnant women in the US to only take Tylenol, known as paracetamol elsewhere, to relieve high fevers. At the Charlie Kirk memorial service on Sunday, Trump said he had an "amazing" announcement coming on autism, saying it was "out of control" but they might now have a reason why."

"Some studies have shown a link between pregnant women taking Tylenol and autism, but these findings are inconsistent and do not prove the drug causes autism. Tylenol maker Kenvue has defended the use of the drug in pregnant women. In a statement to the BBC, it said: "We believe independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism. We strongly disagree with any suggestion otherwise and are deeply concerned with the health risk this poses for expecting mothers.""

"Acetaminophen is the safest pain reliever option for pregnant women, it added, and without it, women face a dangerous choice between suffering through conditions like fever or use riskier alternatives. The BBC has contacted the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for comment. In April, the leader of HHS, Robert F Kennedy Jr, pledged "a massive testing and research effort" to determine the cause of autism in five months."

US officials are expected to link prenatal use of Tylenol (acetaminophen) to autism and plan to advise pregnant women to use Tylenol for high fevers. Some studies report an association between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and autism, but those findings are inconsistent and do not establish causation. Tylenol maker Kenvue defends acetaminophen use in pregnancy and warns that removing it forces women to choose between untreated symptoms or riskier alternatives. The BBC has sought comment from the Department of Health and Human Services. HHS leader Robert F. Kennedy Jr pledged a major research effort, while experts emphasize autism likely arises from complex genetic and environmental factors.

Read at www.bbc.com