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The President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced that the government may provide important information on Monday regarding autism and its relationship with the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy.
At the memorial service honoring conservative activist Charlie Kirk, held on Sunday in Arizona, Trump stated to the press that he believes acetaminophen, the active ingredient in medications such as Tylenol, is “a very important factor” in the increase of autism diagnoses.
The statement comes on the eve of an official announcement that his administration plans to make regarding new findings related to the causes and possible treatments of autism.
"I believe we have found an answer to autism," stated the president, who predicted that the medical announcement would be "one of the greatest in the country's history."
Close sources to the government indicated that health authorities plan to warn pregnant women about the use of acetaminophen at the beginning of pregnancy, except in cases where it is strictly necessary, such as in the case of fever.
The measure would be based on a review of recent studies, including analyses by researchers from Harvard and Mount Sinai universities, suggesting a possible link between the use of the drug in the early stages of pregnancy and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children.
At the same time, it is expected that the government will promote the use of leucovorin, a less known medication that could represent a therapeutic option for treating some symptoms of autism.
Preliminary clinical trials have shown improvements in communication ability in children with autism after receiving this medication, commonly used to counteract side effects from other treatments or to address deficiencies in vitamin B9.
The initiative has been led by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., along with the FDA Commissioner, Marty Makary, and the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Jay Bhattacharya.
In April, Kennedy stated in a televised cabinet meeting that the government would launch a "massive" international research effort to identify the causes of autism before September.
Presidential spokesperson Kush Desai confirmed that Trump will announce new measures this Monday that will represent "a historic breakthrough" in the president's commitment to public health and the fight against autism.
The White House promotes these initiatives as part of its national strategy to curb the rise in diagnosis rates.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that one in 31 children aged 8 has been diagnosed with autism in the United States, compared to one in 150 in the year 2000.
The increase is partly attributed to greater awareness and changes in diagnostic criteria, with many researchers pointing to environmental factors and lifestyle as possible contributors.
Current guidelines from major medical societies consider the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy to be safe, but they recommend consulting healthcare professionals before taking any medication during this sensitive period.
Tylenol representatives have held meetings with the government in recent weeks to understand the scope of the new policies and discuss the potential impacts on the pharmaceutical industry.
The new findings and recommendations arise amid a renewed debate within the scientific community about the complex causes of autism, which until recently were considered mostly genetic and, therefore, not easily amenable to external intervention.
Frequently asked questions about the link between acetaminophen and autism
What connection has Donald Trump suggested between acetaminophen and autism?
Donald Trump suggested that acetaminophen, a commonly used pain reliever during pregnancy, might be linked to the rise in autism diagnoses. Trump believes that this medication is "a very important factor" in the increase of autism cases.
What measures is the U.S. government planning regarding the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy?
The U.S. government plans to warn pregnant women about the use of acetaminophen early in pregnancy, except in strictly necessary cases such as fever. This measure is based on recent studies suggesting a possible link between the consumption of the medication and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children.
What other therapeutic options are being considered for the treatment of autism?
In addition to the alert regarding acetaminophen, the government is expected to promote the use of leucovorin, a medication that could be helpful in treating some symptoms of autism. Preliminary clinical trials have shown improvements in communication abilities in children with autism who received leucovorin.
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