Trump Links Acetaminophen to Autism; Names RFK Jr.

President Trump announced at a White House press conference that acetaminophen use during pregnancy can be associated with an increased risk of autism, urged pregnant people to avoid it or use the shortest effective dose, and suggested changes to infant vaccination timing. He named Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS Secretary to lead an “all-agency” autism investigation and said the FDA will notify physicians and update labeling related to leucovorin, which the agency recently approved for autism treatment. Medical experts, major professional bodies and international regulators strongly disputed any new evidence of causation, noting most large studies do not support a causal link and that acetaminophen remains the recommended first-line pain reliever in pregnancy when used as directed. Clinicians warned that discouraging acetaminophen could cause harm because untreated fever and pain during pregnancy increase risks to the fetus and mother. Researchers said studies are mixed—some small studies suggested associations but larger, more robust research (including a large Swedish study) found no causal link—and public-health authorities urged pregnant people to follow existing guidance and consult clinicians. The announcements provoked wide controversy and concern among scientists and public-health experts about potential confusion, harm to pregnant patients, and the implications of changing vaccine schedules without new supporting evidence.