We asked, you answered: What do you think about the president’s claims that taking Tylenol while pregnant causes autism?

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President Donald Trump announced Monday, Sept. 22 that the Food and Drug Administration would update drug labeling to discourage the use of acetaminophen by pregnant women, suggesting it causes autism.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and health officials worldwide quickly rejected those claims.

Scientists have been investigating the causes of autism for decades.

Evidence in recent years has suggested a correlation between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and later diagnoses of conditions like autism and ADHD. 

However, the science remains inconclusive. Researchers have not been able to rule out other factors, and many studies rely on mothers self-reporting their acetaminophen use. There are also studies showing no such link.

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, the largest hospital in New Hampshire, and owner of many smaller facilities in Vermont and New Hampshire, issued a statement assuring the public that Tylenol remains safe for use during pregnancy.

“The highest quality studies have failed to conclude that taking Tylenol at any stage of pregnancy causes autism, or any other form of neurodiversity or intellectual disability,” the hospital said in a statement on social media. “The president’s announcement did not reference any new research that would change these findings. Oversimplifying the causes of autism or recommending unfounded treatments is harmful to impacted families.

“Fever is a serious risk to the health of mother and baby, and Tylenol is a safe, effective drug for reducing fever and mitigating potentially tragic outcomes. Providers in maternal fetal medicine at Dartmouth Health, and in pediatrics at Dartmouth Health Children’s (@DHChildrens), will continue to recommend the use of Tylenol as needed to pregnant women as the safest available over-the-counter option for reducing pain and fever.”

Acetaminophen is the only over-the-counter drug approved to treat fevers during pregnancy.

We asked readers to weigh in on this issue. Here’s what they said…

“He doesn’t know his ass from his elbow  about most things!” —Helen Cunningham

“They’re going to start throwing women in jail when their kids are diagnosed on the spectrum for ‘suspected’ Tylenol use. You just watch.” — Jenny Powers

“Donald Trump and his administration have no credibility—absolutely none. His proclamations are destructive and designed to create fear and chaos. When fear takes over, we lose our common sense and good judgment. I hope families step back from this quackery and take advice from respected sources.” — Gretchen Draper

“I think Trump and RFK Jr. are both unqualified to make decisions on any health-related issues. They need to  stop acting like they know what they are doing.” — Sharon Clarke

“The president has no place giving any medical advice of any kind. As usual, he sounds off about things that are way out of his knowledge base with no concern for the collateral damage he causes.” — Thea Crawford

“I think Trump and RFK Jr are a joke. Neither has any medical experience nor any evidence to make their ridiculous claims. The whole world is laughing at them behind their backs!” — Lynda Williams

“Trump, the liar and cheat, only knows how to lie, he can not tell real from fake and needs a psychiatric evaluation to determine if he is even competent enough to hold the office of presidency.”— Elaina Valzania

“I think he and RFK Jr. need to have their heads examined. Neither one has any medical training or scientific background. We need people who can do a real job of protecting people in this country in all branches. Took tylenol through both my pregnancies with no problems. Listen to your doctors, not people who want to play doctors.” — Sharon Clarke

“Medical doctors have limited training and are afraid of breaking rank, losing their licenses and messing around with the status quo power mongers. They have lots of skills, education, training and continuing education to keep up with. The professional associations they belong to, especially the AMA and many others, are politically concerned with covering their own you know whats.” — Glee Hooper

“There is no reputable evidence that Tylenol is harmful during pregnancy. Many people do not have the time or energy to verify the truth of all Mr.Trump’s flights of fancy. The best course of action is to find a physician that you feel you can trust and follow their advice. Unfortunately, Mr Trump appears to be mentally ill, and so far no one has been able to curb his irrational actions.This country has weathered storms before and I hope we can come out the other side of this one in four years.” — JoAnn Carlson 

“Trump is an idiot.” — Kay Cummings

“First of all, what is he targeting a brand name for? Second, in his rant it wasn’t really clear that  just pregnant women shouldn’t take Tylenol. Third, the medical professionals, scientists say there is no evidence that his accusations have any merit.” — Brenda M. Nadeau

“Why on god’s green earth would anyone take medical advice from a felon and rapist? Or an ex-heroin addict with brain worms that his whole family has disavowed?” — Joyce Hurd

“The autism claim has no basis in research.” — Andy Stecher 

“Mr. Trump and Kennedy have no medical or clinical training. Trump has a political grudge against the CEO and board of directors of Tylenol’s manufacturer. Trump also wants women put in their place subservient to every man, so killing off a few is fine with him. Remember, Trump wanted us to inject bleach to avoid Covid. Listen to your health care provider.” — Tizz Crowley

“Any medical advice from the ill informed Potus, who recommended drinking bleach during the Covid epidemic, should be questioned. Never follow his lead-/seek opinion from licensed physicians.” — Kay Campbell

“He’s an idiot, what can I say? Those that can make you believe in absurdities, can make you commit atrocities!” — Michael Blackledge

“Trump isn’t a doctor nor did he play one on TV.” — Wiliam Weiss

“The king is a wack-job! Along with his entire, unqualified cabinet!  He has turned this country into a shameful disgrace.” — Margaret Prolman  

“Follow the science! Do not follow the president!” —Nora Durning