Swedish Research Refutes Trump's Claims Linking Paracetamol to Autism

New findings from Sweden challenge Trump's claims regarding paracetamol and autism.

    Key details

  • • Trump claims paracetamol is linked to autism risk for pregnant women.
  • • Swedish studies find no evidence of such a link.
  • • Research involved data from 186,000 children.
  • • Experts urge reliance on scientific research for health claims.

President Donald Trump has recently raised concerns about paracetamol, commonly known as Tylenol, suggesting that it poses risks to pregnant women and links its use to rising autism rates. At a press conference, Trump urged the FDA to reconsider its recommendations for paracetamol, advising pregnant women and children against its use unless absolutely necessary. These alarming assertions have encountered strong criticism from the scientific community, particularly from researchers in Sweden.

A noteworthy Swedish study conducted by the Karolinska Institute involved a comprehensive analysis of data from nearly 186,000 children and their siblings. The findings revealed no significant evidence to support a link between maternal paracetamol use during pregnancy and the development of autism or ADHD. Renee Garder, an epidemiology lecturer at the Karolinska Institute, confirmed that the analysis tracked children over 26 years, indicating that there was no increased risk for those exposed to paracetamol.

Additionally, Viktor H. Ahlqvist, another key researcher involved in the study, has been in high demand for interviews following these claims, stressing the importance of relying on scientific evidence in discussions surrounding medication safety during pregnancy.

As Trump's assertions coincide with his criticisms regarding infant vaccinations, they reflect an ongoing debate about public health and drug safety, which experts emphasize should be grounded in research rather than speculation.

In light of these developments, the scientific community continues to advocate for informed decision-making based on robust data, countering misleading claims prominently made by political figures.

Stay on top of the news that matters

Our free newsletters deliver the most important news stories straight to your inbox.