Years after recommending drinking bleach to stop COVID-19, Donald Trump has once again made one of his statements, one of those that have a total of 0 units of scientific rigor, but that create controversy. The president of the United States has claimed that children are born with autism because of pregnant women taking acetaminophen. Of course, Mr. Trump, someone had to be blamed for a disease that affects 1 in every 31 children in our country, and what better than doing it with the only medication that pregnant women can take!
Thus, while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prepares new warnings for this medication in the USA, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has come out to defend that there is no type of scientific evidence to support this grim theory. What is happening?
Trump vs. Acetaminophen
During his appearance, Trump claimed that in countries where Tylenol, the brand name of acetaminophen, is not consumed, such as Cuba, there are barely any cases of autism (a true piece of information, of course, spoiler: irony). With this statement, he urged pregnant women to limit the consumption of the medication “unless it is strictly necessary”.
The FDA is going to add warnings about the supposed risk of autism, but the institution acknowledges that there is no evidence establishing a link between the disease and the medication, because the causes of the appearance of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) are really not known.
The position of the EMA
The EMA has not wanted to participate in this debate and has stated that acetaminophen can be used during pregnancy if there is clinical need, always in low doses (obviously) and for the shortest possible time, but that at no time is it harmful if the health of the mother is poor. We repeat, there is no evidence that it causes autism or malformations in the fetus.
Steffen Thirstrup (medical director of the EMA) stressed that the recommendation is based on an exhaustive review of the available scientific data. In 2019, the agency itself analyzed studies on neurological development in children exposed to acetaminophen during pregnancy and the results were inconclusive.
The leaflet and medical experience
In Europe, the leaflets of medications that contain acetaminophen already warn that it should be used with caution in pregnant women. But they also point out that its consumption is safe in most cases and that no significant risk has been identified for the fetus or for the newborn.
Thus, pregnant women should not be unnecessarily alarmed. The correct thing is that they consult their doctor before taking any medication, something logical that is already recommended for all treatments during pregnancy.
The response of the United Kingdom and the global view
The British NHS supported the position of the EMA and reassured the population, taking acetaminophen during pregnancy is still safe. This is just one more time in which Trump’s statements lack foundation and generate confusion on a subject as sensitive as maternal health.
Science versus rumors
The debate about acetaminophen in pregnancy has no place when scientific evidence supports its safety. Trump’s statements generate doubts and unnecessary alarms, especially because they have no scientific basis.
Acetaminophen remains a safe and necessary medication for millions of people around the world. You are not a bad mother if you take acetaminophen during your pregnancy, what is truly bad is making irresponsible use from the political podium without scientific backing. Misinformation kills more than any pill, remember that!
The @MHRAgovuk confirm that taking paracetamol during pregnancy remains safe and there is no evidence it causes autism in children.
Read more in their latest update.
https://t.co/spDMDMVEYS pic.twitter.com/RKJTpG1j1l
— NHS England (@NHSEngland) September 23, 2025