The World Health Organization (WHO) and European health regulators have rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent warnings linking paracetamol use during pregnancy to autism, saying there is no solid evidence to support such claims.
At a press briefing in Geneva, WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic acknowledged that some studies had hinted at a possible connection, but stressed that the results could not be repeated in follow-up research. “This lack of replicability really calls for caution in drawing causal conclusions,” he said. WHO also reaffirmed that vaccines do not cause autism, highlighting their proven role in saving millions of lives worldwide.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) issued its own statement, confirming that available data show no link between paracetamol during pregnancy and autism. The agency said no new findings require a change in medical advice. It recommended that paracetamol can continue to be used by pregnant women when needed, provided it is taken at the lowest effective dose. Britain’s health regulator gave a similar response, affirming the medicine’s safety.
Trump, speaking at the White House on Monday, advised pregnant women to avoid Tylenol and suggested delaying or spacing out childhood vaccinations. His comments revived long-disputed claims connecting vaccines to autism, despite decades of research proving otherwise.
Medical experts around the world continue to advise that acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, is safe for use during pregnancy when taken as directed. Health organizations stress that pregnant women should always consult their doctors but warn against misinformation that could put both mothers and babies at risk.
