In Washington, US President Donald Trump once again sparked controversy with unsubstantiated claims about the causes of autism in children. During a Cabinet meeting, Trump warned expectant mothers and parents against taking the painkiller acetaminophen during pregnancy and infancy. Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also claimed that early circumcision in children could increase the risk of autism, citing acetaminophen as a possible trigger. These claims were met with sharp criticism from experts, as current studies provide no reliable evidence for such a connection.
Unsubstantiated Autism Theories: Trump’s Criticism of Acetaminophen in Pregnancy
At the most recent Cabinet meeting, Trump emphasized that pregnant women and newborns should not take acetaminophen (known as Tylenol in the US). His warning is based on the assumption that the drug increases the risk of autism. A similar statement from him was made in September 2024, sparking widespread outrage. However, medical research strongly contradicts this assumption.
Current scientific findings on paracetamol and autism
Studies, including a study from Sweden published in the journal JAMA in 2024, show that taking paracetamol in recommended doses during pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk of autism or other neurological disorders in the child. Experts such as Professor Helen Tager-Flusberg of the Boston University Autism Therapy Center point out that previous studies cited by critics have methodological flaws and cannot prove a reliable causal relationship.
| Study | Result | Relevance to autism |
|---|---|---|
| JAMA study Sweden 2024 | No link between paracetamol use during pregnancy and autism | high |
| Danish study 2015 | Suspected link between circumcision and autism | Low (methodological issues) |
| Harvard Studies 2023 | No clear evidence of neurological effects from paracetamol at prenatal doses | Medium |
Claims about circumcision and autism: Critical voices from science
Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. proposed the theory that children circumcised shortly after birth have twice the risk of being diagnosed with autism. He cited paracetamol as a possible cause of this supposed connection. Experts from the Autism Association and other autism forums have criticized these claims as speculative and unfounded.
Lack of scientific evidence and potential confounding variables
The 2015 Danish study Kennedy cites is based on a small sample of Muslim boys who were circumcised in hospitals instead of at home, as is common practice. Experts such as psychiatrist David Mandell of the University of Pennsylvania point out that the hospital visits may have been caused by other medical problems that can also affect neurological development. This statistically distorts any supposed links between circumcision and autism.
The role of organizations and institutions in the discourse surrounding autism
In Germany, initiatives such as Autismus Deutschland e.V., Auticon, the Autismus-Therapiezentrum (Autism Therapy Center), and the Bundesverband Autismus (Federal Association for Autism) are committed to providing objective information and support to those affected. At the same time, organizations such as Lebenshilfe (Life Help), Aktion Mensch (Action Human), and the Autismus Stiftung (Autism Foundation) make an important contribution to promoting acceptance and sound research.
| Organization | Focus | Contribution to autism research or support |
|---|---|---|
| Autismus Deutschland e.V. | Counseling and networking | Support for those affected and their families, information services |
| Auticon | Work integration | Promoting employment opportunities for people with autism |
| Aktion Mensch | Promoting inclusion | Funding inclusive projects and raising awareness |
| Lebenshilfe | Social support | Support for families and those affected |
Source: www.aerzteblatt.de
