Donald Trump asks pregnant women to avoid Tylenol; Here's why

Donald Trump on Tylenol: In a significant move, US President Donald Trump urged pregnant woman to avoid pain reliever Tylenol. As per reports, Trump cited a disputed link between the drug and autism. The US President made this announcement on Monday in the Oval Office alongside Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.

What Trump Said?

Stating the reason of the decision, Trump stated that the the main ingredient in Tylenol is paracetamol, which is also known as acetaminophen in the US, "is no good". He added that pregnant women should only consume it in cases of extreme fever. Notably, Trump also linked it to autism without any evidence and suggested major changes to the hepatitis B vaccine prescribed to newborns.

What Experts Say?

However, health experts have issued a warning against this decision of Trump. These health policies of the Trump administration has generated widespread concern in the medical and scientific world.

Trump's controversial claims

Major medical groups, such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, have recommended Tylenol as the safest option for pain and fever during pregnancy. However, Trump's health adviser, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., main priority is research on the causes of autism. A recently published literature review noted a possible link between Tylenol and autism, while other studies have stated contrary results.

As per the experts, more research is required in this field and pregnant women should consult doctors before avoiding this medication. David Mandel, a psychiatrist at the University of Pennsylvania, said the risk of infections during pregnancy is more than the potential risks of Tylenol.

Controversy over vaccine policy

Trump's statement came days after a Kennedy-picked advisory committee declined to recommend delaying the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine by a month, giving some relief to public health experts. Experts say delaying this vaccine could have serious consequences, as it is important in preventing diseases like liver damage and cancer.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration promoted a drug called leucovorin, previously used to treat side effects of chemotherapy, as a treatment for autism. On Monday, the FDA approved a tablet form of the drug for children with cerebral folate deficiency.

However, the administration's claims regarding the complex causes of autism, which are believed to be primarily genetic, have been criticized by the scientific community.