HSA refutes Trump claim linking paracetamol and autism

[SINGAPORE] The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said there is no conclusive scientific evidence linking paracetamol use during pregnancy to autism in children, refuting recent assertions made by US President Donald Trump.

Paracetamol “remains the recommended treatment for pain or fever in pregnant women when used as directed,” HSA said in a statement on Friday (Sep 26). “While some studies describe an association between paracetamol and neurological conditions such as autism, a causal relationship has not been established.” It added that many other studies also found no such association.

Earlier this week, Trump linked Tylenol – the most popular brand of acetaminophen in the US – to autism and urged pregnant women to avoid the common painkiller. The Food and Drug Administration subsequently initiated a process for a label change to products containing acetaminophen, which is known as paracetamol in Europe and other parts of the world.

HSA said it has not detected any safety concerns of paracetamol use during pregnancy causing autism or other neurological issues in children.

It said patients can continue to use the drug for reducing pain or fever during pregnancy “if clinically needed,” adding that the it should generally be used “at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration needed.” It also noted that “untreated fever or pain during pregnancy can pose risks to the unborn child.” BLOOMBERG