Science Friday Is Tylenol Use During Pregnancy Connected To Autism?
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Sep 26, 2025 Dr. Brian Lee, an epidemiologist from Drexel University, delves into the contentious issue of acetaminophen use during pregnancy and its alleged link to autism. He critiques previous studies for methodological flaws and highlights his extensive research using data from 2.5 million pregnancies. Dr. Lee emphasizes that confounding factors, such as genetic risks and underlying health issues, complicate the results. He advocates for cautious medication use, stressing that there’s no strong evidence supporting the idea that Tylenol use leads to autism.
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Don't Rely On Headlines For Care
- Don't make medical decisions based on headlines or political statements alone.
- Consider scientific evidence and consult clinicians about treating fever in pregnancy.
Reason For Studying Acetaminophen Safety
- Acetaminophen is widely used and merits safety evaluation during pregnancy.
- Existing studies had methodological limits that prompted Dr. Brian Lee's larger analysis.
Association Is Not Causation
- Reviews showing associations don't prove causation and reuse old studies.
- Dr. Lee cautions that association ≠ causation in the acetaminophen–autism literature.