Mothers are not responsible for autism

Recently, President Trump, with the backing of U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, went on a tirade arguing that pregnant women should not take Tylenol (acetaminophen) as it can lead to autism. He implied that the explosive epidemic of autism is due to the behaviour of mothers, in the medicine that they inappropriately consume. There was so much misinformation at this event that it requires a clear and decisive response.

First and most important: there is no evidence that mothers taking Tylenol are responsible for autism. DO NOT BLAME MOTHERS!

Let’s unpack what is known about autism.

Is it really an epidemic?

The perception of an epidemic of autism is mainly a result of our evolving understanding that autism is not a single disorder but rather a constellation of illnesses, which we now call autism spectrum disorder. What is included in this definition is a large group of related symptoms that result from brain changes affecting how people perceive others and interact in social groups. The range of symptoms encompasses once-separate conditions, so what were once various diagnoses are now bundled together under the name “autism.”

Autism spectrum disorder usually presents early in childhood and can be seen in how a child relates to others. It is about four times more common in boys.

Genetics are a significant causal factor. An extensive study in 2019 suggests that the heritability of autism is about 80% – about the same as the heritability of height. By way of contrast, the heritability of depression is between 30 and 50%. So, if you have autism, the cause is probably the combination of genes you received from your parents. Obviously, this is not something either you or your parents control.

One of the myths about autism, which has been clearly disproven, is a link between vaccination and autism spectrum disorder. Now a second myth, linking Tylenol to autism, needs to be debunked.

Studying drugs

There have been several studies exploring the impacts of a whole range of medicines on autism, as well as exploring the effects of medications administered during pregnancy on children more broadly. The difficulty of studying drugs taken during pregnancy is that drugs are given for a reason: there is an infection, fever or other medical problem that needs attention. But how do you separate the drug’s effects from the effects of the illness? When this difficulty is taken into consideration, the best-designed studies find no effect from taking Tylenol during pregnancy on the likelihood of autism.

Tylenol is one of the safest painkillers pregnant women can take. In fact, not taking painkillers when needed has a larger adverse effect than taking them. Doctors are aware of the risks associated with various medical problems during pregnancy and what can be done to mitigate these risks. Painkillers like Tylenol have a place in that treatment.

If you have any concerns about medical issues during pregnancy, speak to your doctor, but do not hesitate to take Tylenol if needed.