Why Observational Studies Can Mislead on Tylenol

EPISODE 152 – Why RFK Jr. is wrong to claim that Tylenol causes autism.

According to the Wall Street Journal, RFK Jr. and the HHS are planning to release a report claiming acetaminophen (Tylenol/paracetamol) is inked to autism spectrum disorder. The evidence says he’s wrong. Not just because the better quality studies show no link, not just because autism is probably mostly genetic with some minor environmental factors impacting its prevalence, but also because the alternatives to Tylenol for pain/fever control are much worse.

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Editor:    Robyn Flynn

Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl

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Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer

Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.

References:

1)    The Wall Street Journal article:  https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/rfk-jr-hhs-to-link-autism-to-tylenol-use-in-pregnancy-and-folate-deficiencies-e3acbb4c

2)    Chris article in the Montreal Gazette: https://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/article1154467.html

3)    The safety warning about NSAIDs in pregnancy: https://www.fda.gov/safety/medical-product-safety-information/nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs-nsaids-drug-safety-communication-avoid-use-nsaids-pregnancy-20

4)    The 2024 Swedish study that used sibling controls: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2817406

5)    Data showing the roughly 3:1 preponderance of males vs. females with autism https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34855727/

6)    Some of the environmental factors that may affect autism spectrum disorder https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21746727/