Link Between Prenatal Tylenol use (acetaminophen, Paracetamol) and Autism Rates

HHS Gov Prepares Major September Announcement

As autism rates continue to climb across the United States, a growing body of research is spotlighting prenatal exposure to acetaminophen – commonly known as Tylenol – as a possible contributing factor to autism. With Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
@RobertKennedyJr
set to unveil key findings in September on environmental "interventions" he believes are driving the surge in autism diagnoses in the US, a new study is increasingly pointing to this widely used pain reliever as one potential culprit. The announcement, teased during a recent Cabinet meeting, could reshape guidelines for pregnant women and reignite debates over everyday medications that we have all been told are “safe”.

The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), released in April 2025, reveals that 1 in 31 U.S. children – or about 3.2% of 8-year-olds – has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), up from 1 in 36 two years earlier. This marks a nearly fivefold increase since the CDC's first survey in 2000, when the rate was 1 in 150. While improved screening and broader diagnostic criteria account for much of the rise, Kennedy has called it an "epidemic running rampant," emphasizing environmental toxins over genetic factors alone.

In an August 26 Cabinet meeting, Kennedy addressed President Donald Trump's concerns about the "tremendous horror show" of autism, stating: "We will have an announcement as promised in September. We’re finding interventions, certain interventions now that are clearly almost certainly causing autism." He referenced a massive HHS-led research effort launched earlier in the year, involving hundreds of scientists worldwide, to pinpoint these triggers. Among the interventions under investigation: prenatal exposures to common substances like acetaminophen, which Kennedy and others have flagged as a risk.

Acetaminophen is the go-to over-the-counter pain and fever reducer for pregnant women, with more than 50% using it worldwide due to its perceived safety compared to alternatives like ibuprofen. But, recent studies suggest it may disrupt fetal brain development, potentially elevating risks for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – both classified as neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs).

Now that September has arrived, millions of families await clarity. For now, the 1-in-31 statistic underscores the urgency to identify these autism interventions. Nearly two-thirds of autistic children have severe or borderline intellectual disabilities. While early intervention remains key in identifying autism, we could see a decline in Autism rates in the future if acetaminophen proves to be a factor identified by HHS Secretary Kennedy.

If Tylenol and acetaminophen usage by pregnant women is one of the interventions announced this September by
RFK
, it could offer a simple step to curb the Autism epidemic in America and around the world, one pill at a time.