A new report, expected to be published later this month by U.S. health authorities, may spark renewed debate over the safety of medications used during pregnancy.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the draft document links the use of the over-the-counter pain reliever Tylenol (paracetamol/acetaminophen) by pregnant women to an increased risk of autism in children.
The report also highlights that a lack of folic acid during pregnancy may represent another risk factor for autism, while its biologically active form, folinic acid (leucovorin), could help reduce autism symptoms, according to sources cited by the newspaper.
These possible findings come at a sensitive time for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who appeared this week before the Senate Finance Committee on Capitol Hill, on September 4.
Kennedy has faced criticism over nearly $500 million in budget cuts that have particularly affected new projects on mRNA technology.
Tylenol (acetaminophen/paracetamol) is one of the most widely used medications in the world for relieving pain and reducing fever, including by pregnant women. While some studies have suggested a possible link with the development of neurodevelopmental disorders, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) continues to support its use during pregnancy — but with the recommendation that it be taken only under medical supervision.
It remains unclear whether the report will include any reference to vaccines, an issue on which Kennedy Jr. has long been a vocal critic, previously claiming — without scientifically accepted evidence — that vaccines are linked to autism, a stance that has sparked major controversy.
The report is expected to be released by the end of September and could have a significant impact on public health policy and on debates surrounding which medications are considered safe during pregnancy.
