There are limited options for pain relief during pregnancy.
Credit: The Good Brigade/Getty
Researchers are worried about the consequences of pregnant women heeding US President Donald Trump’s advice to avoid the painkiller Tylenol, also known as paracetamol or acetaminophen. During a White House address on September 22, Trump suggested a link between the drug and autism, as well as other long-term neurodevelopmental issues for developing children. Experts are cautioning that avoiding necessary medication could actually put both mothers and their unborn children in greater danger.
Paracetamol is among the most commonly used medications during pregnancy and is generally seen as safe. It’s widely used to alleviate pain and reduce fevers from various illnesses, including viral infections like colds and bacterial infections affecting urinary tracts or kidneys.
This Monday, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that acetaminophen products will feature new warning labels that highlight a potential link between the drug and an increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism in children. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary noted that this change “may lead many to avoid using acetaminophen during pregnancy.” Trump was even more emphatic, stating, “Fight like hell not to take it.”
This advice has been dismissed by physicians, health organizations, and regulators worldwide, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the UK Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration. The World Health Organization has stated that there is no “conclusive scientific evidence” supporting a potential link. The causes of ADHD and autism are complex, often rooted in genetics.
Risks of Untreated Fever
However, there is some evidence suggesting that neglecting a high fever (above 39.1 °C) or one lasting over 24 hours could negatively impact pregnancy outcomes. Debra Kennedy, a women’s health researcher at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, Australia, warns that such untreated fevers are associated with an increased risk of miscarriage and certain birth defects. “Women shouldn’t have to endure pain or fever unnecessarily when there’s no convincing proof that taking paracetamol harms their child,” she adds.
Moreover, untreated high temperatures during pregnancy might elevate the risk of autism and psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia due to potential disruption in fetal brain development1. Kennedy cautions that the fear surrounding paracetamol usage could push women to resort to less safe pain relief options. “I’m sure some women will hesitate to take paracetamol during pregnancy due to these statements,” she notes, adding that fellow doctors have reached out to her for resources to help patients with concerns about using paracetamol.
Limited Options
Summary: Researchers express concern over the potential consequences of US President Donald Trump’s advice against using Tylenol during pregnancy, citing the medication’s importance for pain relief. While the FDA has placed warning labels due to possible links to ADHD and autism, health experts emphasize that untreated fevers during pregnancy can pose greater risks. Many medical organizations reject the anti-Tylenol stance, stressing that paracetamol is largely safe when necessary for maternal health.
