United States President Donald Trump has announced that doctors in there will soon be advised not to prescribe the pain reliever Tylenol to pregnant women, citing a disputed link between the drug and autism.
The US president claimed on Monday that taking paracetamol (Tylenol) “is no good” and that pregnant women should “fight like hell” to only take it in cases of extreme fever.
Medical experts have strongly pushed back on the claims, with some calling the president’s comments dangerous.
Health officials in the UK have stressed that paracetamol remains the safest painkiller available to pregnant women.
UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “I trust doctors over President Trump, frankly, on this.”
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists disputed the link made by Trump in the Oval Office on Monday.
Its president, Dr Steven Fleischman, said the Tylenol claim “is not backed by the full body of scientific evidence and dangerously simplifies the many and complex causes of neurologic challenges in children”.
“Studies that have been conducted in the past, show no clear evidence that proves a direct relationship between the prudent use of acetaminophen during any trimester and fetal developmental issues,” the statement added.
In a notice to doctors, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) used milder language than Trump.
The agency said doctors should consider limiting the use of Tylenol, while also taking into account that it is the safest over-the-counter option to treat fever and pain in pregnant women, which can also harm maternal and fetal health.
“To be clear, while an association between acetaminophen and autism has been described in many studies, a causal relationship has not been established and there are contrary studies in the scientific literature,” the FDA wrote.
What is autism
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a diverse group of conditions characterized by some degree of difficulty with social interaction and communication, according to the World Health Organization.
Other characteristics are atypical patterns of activities and behaviours, such as difficulty with transition from one activity to another, a focus on details and unusual reactions to sensations.
The abilities and needs of autistic people vary and can evolve over time. While some people with autism can live independently, others have severe disabilities and require life-long care and support.
Autism often has an impact on education and employment opportunities. In addition, the demands on families providing care and support can be significant.
Societal attitudes and the level of support provided by local and national authorities are important factors determining the quality of life of people with autism.
Characteristics of autism may be detected in early childhood, but autism is often not diagnosed until much later.
People with autism often have co-occurring conditions, including epilepsy, depression, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The level of intellectual functioning among autistic people varies widely, extending from profound impairment to superior levels.
Additional source: WHO, BBC
