The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The World Health Organization (WHO) clarified last week that there is no conclusive scientific evidence linking the use of paracetamol during pregnancy to autism, dismissing a claim made by US President Donald Trump.
In a statement, the UN health agency said nearly 62 million people worldwide—about one in 127—live with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a condition that affects brain development. While awareness and diagnosis have improved, the exact causes remain unclear and are believed to involve multiple factors.
Trump recently claimed that taking Tylenol (paracetamol) during pregnancy may significantly increase the risk of autism. However, WHO stressed that extensive research, including large-scale studies conducted over the past decade, has not found any consistent link.
The organization also reiterated that vaccines do not cause autism, noting that studies from multiple countries have disproven alleged links involving thiomersal or aluminum.
On X, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus advised women to follow medical guidance on medication use during pregnancy and to exercise extra caution, especially in the first trimester.