The health body underscored the importance of individualised care, recommending that pregnant women consult doctors or health workers when making decisions about medicines.
Published Sep 26, 2025 | 4:41 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 26, 2025 | 4:41 PM
US President Donald Trump urged pregnant women to avoid Tylenol (one of the brand names of paracetamol), linking it to autism. (iStock)
Synopsis: The World Health Organisation clarified that there is no conclusive evidence linking the use of acetaminophen (paracetamol) during pregnancy to autism spectrum disorder. Public concern intensified when former US President Donald Trump urged pregnant women to avoid Tylenol (one of the brand names of paracetamol), linking it to autism.
In the heels of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announcement that it plans to update the safety label of acetaminophen (paracetamol), the World Health Organisation (WHO) clarified that there is no conclusive evidence linking its use during pregnancy to autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The US FDA recently announced its plan to include safety labels, citing research that suggests a possible association between acetaminophen and neurodevelopmental conditions.
Public concern intensified when US President Donald Trump urged pregnant women to avoid Tylenol (one of the brand names of paracetamol), linking it to autism, a claim dismissed by scientists as misleading.
Globally, nearly 62 million people, about one in every 127, are estimated to have autism spectrum disorder. While awareness and diagnosis have advanced, experts agree that the exact causes of autism are still not fully understood and likely involve multiple genetic, environmental, and developmental factors.
“Extensive research has been undertaken over the past decade, including large-scale studies, looking into links between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism. At this time, no consistent association has been established,” WHO said in its statement.
The agency advised that women continue to follow medical guidance during pregnancy. “Any medicine should be used with caution during pregnancy, especially in the first three months, and in line with advice from health professionals,” it added.
The use of acetaminophen during pregnancy has been the subject of scientific inquiry and public debate for years, with several studies raising concerns about potential links to autism.
However, WHO’s latest assessment emphasises that the available evidence does not confirm such a connection.
The health body underscored the importance of individualised care, recommending that pregnant women consult doctors or health workers when making decisions about medicines.
The statement reiterates that, despite ongoing research, there is no consistent or reliable evidence establishing a link between acetaminophen and autism.
In addition to addressing acetaminophen, WHO also restated its long-standing position on vaccines. The organisation emphasised that there is robust, high-quality evidence showing no link between childhood vaccines and autism.
“A robust, extensive evidence base exists showing childhood vaccines do not cause autism,” WHO said, stressing that original studies suggesting otherwise were flawed and have been discredited.
Since 1999, independent experts advising WHO have consistently confirmed that vaccines, including those containing thiomersal or aluminium, are not associated with autism or other developmental disorders.
WHO noted that global immunisation schedules, shaped through rigorous evidence review by its Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation (SAGE), have been adopted by all countries and are credited with saving at least 154 million lives over the past five decades. These schedules continue to protect children, adolescents, and adults against 30 infectious diseases.
The agency warned that disruptions or delays in vaccination schedules increase risks not only for children but also for vulnerable populations, such as infants too young to be vaccinated and people with compromised immune systems.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
