DDPHE Blog: Clarifying Recent Conversations About Tylenol and Autism

DDPHE Blog: Clarifying Recent Conversations About Tylenol and Autism

Published on September 25, 2025

You may have seen recent headlines suggesting a link between Tylenol (acetaminophen) use in pregnancy and autism. We know these stories can be confusing and concerning, especially for parents, families, and those who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. The experts at DDPHE are here to help provide clarity by grounding this conversation in science-based evidence.

Centering the autism community
Any discussion about autism should begin with sensitivity and respect for autistic individuals and their families. Autism is a multifactorial neurological condition, meaning that it does not have a single cause or explanation. Each individual's experience with autism is unique. The Autism Society emphasizes that "autism research should be driven by evidence, not blame." This principle is critical to keep in mind when interpreting new studies and headlines.

What the science tells us
The recent statements about Tylenol are based on a review of scientific studies that looked at acetaminophen use during pregnancy and later diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD).

The findings across studies were mixed, with some suggesting possible associations and others showing no significant relationship.

Importantly, the review did not demonstrate a clear causation or consistent correlation between Tylenol use and these conditions.

Guidance from maternal health experts
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the nation's leading authority on maternal health, continues to recommend Tylenol as one of the few safe options for pain relief and fever reduction during pregnancy. Fever itself is known to increase risks for both pregnancy complications and potential harm to the pregnancy, which makes safe fever management especially important.

What this means for families
If you are pregnant and have questions about medication use, the best next step is to talk with your obstetrician, midwife, or healthcare provider. They can provide personalized guidance tailored to your health and circumstances.

Learn more about DDPHE's Maternal Child Health program. Our public health nurses can also help answer questions or assist in connecting you with care. Contact them at [email protected].

• Public Health & Environment