HHS Responds to Concerns Over Autism and Acetaminophen Report

Why this matters: The report has the potential to cause unnecessary anxiety among pregnant women and parents. It also risks undermining trust in established medical advice and potentially diverting attention from well-supported areas of autism research.

The controversy stems from concerns that the HHS report might oversimplify the complex causes of autism. Experts emphasize that autism is likely influenced by hundreds of genes and complex environmental factors, not just a single cause like acetaminophen use.

Acetaminophen is a common painkiller widely recommended for pregnant women to treat fever and pain. Untreated fever during pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage and birth defects. The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine stands by its recommendation of acetaminophen for pregnant women.

While some small studies have suggested a possible link between acetaminophen exposure and autism/ADHD, the largest study to date found no increased risk. This underscores the need for caution when interpreting preliminary research and highlights the importance of relying on well-established scientific evidence.

The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine recommends acetaminophen for pregnant women to treat fever and pain, citing the risks of untreated fever.

While folate deficiency is linked to neural tube defects, the connection to autism is still unclear and requires further research.

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