The European Union (EU) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have strongly refuted recent claims by President Donald Trump linking pregnancy and paracetamol use to rising autism rates. Trump’s remarks, made during a speech where he described autism as an “autism epidemic,” suggested that environmental exposures during pregnancy were the primary cause of the rise in diagnoses.
WHO’s Clarification
The WHO reiterated that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition shaped by a combination of genetic predisposition and some environmental influences. While research continues into factors such as advanced parental age, maternal infections, and preterm birth, there is no scientific evidence that pregnancy itself causes autism. The WHO warned that oversimplifying the issue risks stigmatizing mothers and spreading unnecessary fear.
On paracetamol (acetaminophen/Tylenol), WHO noted that existing studies show inconclusive and inconsistent evidence of a link between its use in pregnancy and autism or ADHD. It advised that pregnant women should continue to follow medical advice and avoid misinformation.
EU’s Position
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) went further, stating clearly that there is no new evidence warranting a change to current guidelines. Paracetamol remains considered safe for use during pregnancy when taken as directed. EMA experts emphasized that paracetamol is an essential treatment for pain and fever, and discouraging its use without cause could pose risks to both mother and child.
Calls for Responsible Leadership
Both WHO and EU officials acknowledged that autism diagnoses have risen globally but attributed this largely to greater awareness, improved diagnostic criteria, and better access to services. Autism, they stressed, is not a disease to be eradicated but a lifelong condition that requires inclusive support systems, early interventions, and policies that respect neurodiversity.
Health leaders warned that alarmist and unfounded claims can fuel misinformation, undermine maternal health, and weaken public trust in evidence-based medicine. Instead, governments and political figures were urged to:
Invest in robust autism research to better understand genetic and environmental interactions.
Strengthen maternal and child health systems to support safe pregnancies.
Promote accurate, evidence-based communication that avoids unnecessary fear.
The EU and WHO have firmly dismissed Trump’s warnings as misleading and lacking scientific support. Pregnancy itself is not a cause of autism, and paracetamol remains safe to use during pregnancy under current medical guidelines. Both agencies emphasized that public health messaging must be rooted in science to protect women, children, and families from confusion and harm.
Source: Reuters
