Charleston, South Carolina – Charleston medical professionals are responding after the Trump administration issued a warning about a common pain medication used by millions of people.
The president claimed that taking acetaminophen, the key ingredient in Tylenol, during pregnancy could cause autism in children, but medical professionals say no studies have proved that link.
Doctors believe that any over-the-counter treatment has some benefit and some danger, but there is no evidence that pregnant women taking Tylenol causes autism in children.
“From a public health perspective, the discipline has to recognize there is a small slight association between acetamidine and things like autism, and that is a far cry from being able to say it is causative, which really calls for better research,” said Dr. Gene Chang, a Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist at Roper St. Francis.
According to doctors, not taking any medication could lead to greater problems. When women get viral infections during pregnancy, it can cause a fetal reaction. A fetal inflammatory response may raise the chance of ADHD and autism.
Layla Luna, the founder of Just Bee, recently celebrated the 17th birthday of her son, who has nonverbal autism. She tells News 2 that she hopes this news will spark conversations.
“Let’s have the conversation, let’s ask the tough questions but hopefully those children that are just getting diagnosed right now by the time they become the same age as my son at 17, I really hope this will be a better world and an easier world for them to coexist and that would be the big win,” Luna told reporters.
Luna hopes that this announcement would encourage additional research.
“To be in the conversation and listen to these parents: We’ve pretty much been shunned upon and been the sideline for so long I think it’s a huge win to at least have an administration that’s at least wants to ask the question: why are so many kids being diagnosed with autism?” said Luna.
As research and discussions continue, doctors wish to transmit a clear message: Tylenol is safe for pregnant women.
“If you are a pregnant woman and you have pain or fevers that needs treatment, I think Tylenol is a good choice I think the key is to take the lowest dose that’s effective for only as long as you need it and I think if you do that you don’t have to worry,” according to Dr. Chang.
Doctors advise anyone with questions or concerns to check with their physicians, who can discuss the study and the larger body of evidence.
