Trump warns of important announcement on autism

2025-09-22 17:46:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

President Donald Trump is planning to make an announcement from the Oval Office on Monday regarding autism.

"I think it's going to be amazing," he said. "I think we found an answer to autism. I think it's going to be one of the most important press conferences I'll ever have, and I'm looking forward to it," Trump said.

Monday's announcement is expected to link the development of autism in children to the use of the painkiller Tylenol during pregnancy, along with low levels of folate, a vitamin that is important for the proper development of a baby's brain and spine, the Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month.

It will also name folinic acid, a form of folate also known as leucovorin, as a way to reduce autism symptoms.

Folate supplements are recommended during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, in babies. Tylenol, which is the brand name for acetaminophen, a generic pain reliever, is widely used in the U.S., including during pregnancy. Health officials are planning to warn women against using the drug in the early stages of pregnancy unless they have a fever, the Washington Post reported Sunday.

Tylenol's maker, Kenvue, said earlier this month that it had engaged in a "scientific exchange" on the issue with officials from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and urged pregnant women to talk to their healthcare provider before taking any over-the-counter medication.

"Acetaminophen is the safest option for pain relief for pregnant women as needed throughout their pregnancy," the company said in a statement Sunday.

“Without it, women face dangerous choices: suffer from conditions like fever that are potentially harmful to both mother and baby, or resort to more dangerous alternatives. The facts are that over a decade of rigorous research, endorsed by leading medical professionals and global health regulators, confirms that there is no credible evidence linking acetaminophen to autism. We support the many public health and medical professionals who have reviewed this science and agree. We will continue to consider all options to protect the health interests of American women and children.”

Experts generally agree.

“There is no clear evidence that establishes a direct relationship between the prudent use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and fetal developmental problems,” Dr. Christopher Zahn, chief of clinical practice for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said in a statement. “Neurodevelopmental disorders, in particular, are multifactorial and very difficult to attribute to a single cause. Pregnant patients should not be intimidated by the many benefits of acetaminophen, which is safe and one of the few options that pregnant women have for pain relief.”

Untreated fever and pain during pregnancy can carry their own risks for both mother and baby, including miscarriage, birth defects and high blood pressure./ CNA