Administration Links Prenatal Tylenol to Autism

On Sept. 22 the Trump administration and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that acetaminophen use during pregnancy may be linked to autism, urged pregnant people to avoid it, and promoted leucovorin as a potential therapy. Medical experts, researchers and lawmakers criticized the guidance as premature and lacking robust evidence, noting many studies show only associations and that discouraging acetaminophen can pose risks such as untreated fever during pregnancy. Some parents and advocates welcomed renewed attention and some families report perceived benefits from treatments like leucovorin, but specialists warned against overpromising cures and redirecting research toward unproven claims. The episode reignited disputes over autism research priorities, including calls for registries, and coincides with controversy over federal pregnancy vaccination guidance. Meanwhile, local efforts to improve access to care continue, such as a new telehealth cart at the Orangeburg County Library that allows rural residents to consult clinicians.