Catholic Health has responded to recent concerns regarding the use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) during pregnancy and its possible link to autism. The organization emphasized its longstanding commitment to maternal and infant care in Western New York.
Questions have emerged about whether taking acetaminophen while pregnant could increase the risk of autism in children. Catholic Health addressed these concerns by noting that more than five decades of scientific research have not identified a simple cause for autism, which is described as a complex neurodevelopmental condition resulting from various genetic and environmental factors.
The statement referenced guidance from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). According to ACOG, “In more than two decades of research on the use of acetaminophen in pregnancy, not a single reputable study has successfully concluded that the use of acetaminophen in any trimester of pregnancy causes neurodevelopmental disorders in children. In fact, the two highest-quality studies on this subject—one of which was published in JAMA last year—found no significant associations between use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and children’s risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability.”
Catholic Health advises that decisions about medication during pregnancy should consider both potential risks and benefits. The organization supports using acetaminophen when needed, provided it is taken in moderation and after consulting with a physician.
For further information on this issue, resources are available through the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Acetaminophen in Pregnancy FAQs as well as a 2024 study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association.
