HHS Secretary RFK Jr. Plans Report Linking Pregnancy Tylenol Use, Folate Deficiency to Autism

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is preparing to release a report indicating that the use of acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, during pregnancy may be linked to autism in children. The report is expected to highlight a significant increase in autism rates since the 1970s and suggest that low folate levels during pregnancy may also contribute to the disorder. It will propose folinic acid (leucovorin), a form of folate, as a potential treatment to alleviate autism symptoms in some individuals. President Trump acknowledged the autism crisis as a severe issue affecting American families during a recent Cabinet meeting where these findings were discussed. However, the Tylenol manufacturer, Kenvue, has defended the drug's safety, citing a lack of scientific evidence supporting a causal connection to autism. The forthcoming report underscores mixed prior research and aims to bring new insights into potential causes and treatments for autism.