New Delhi, Sep 24 (UNI) Amid fresh controversy triggered by US President Donald Trump’s remarks on the use of paracetamol during pregnancy, the World Health Organization (WHO) has rebut the claims, making it clear that there is no conclusive scientific evidence linking the common pain reliever to autism in children.
At a White House event earlier this week, President Trump had advised pregnant women to avoid taking acetaminophen (paracetamol), saying, “Taking Tylenol is not good,” and that only an “extremely high fever” should justify its use. He urged expectant mothers to “fight like hell not to take it.”
Responding to the statement, the UN health agency said, “There is currently no conclusive scientific evidence confirming a possible link between autism and use of acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol) during pregnancy.”
WHO also underlined that numerous large-scale studies conducted over the past decade have investigated the ेso called connection between prenatal paracetamol use and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
“At this time, no consistent association has been established,” it said.
Autism spectrum disorder affects nearly 62 million people globally, or about 1 in every 127 individuals, according to WHO estimates. While research continues, the exact cause remains unknown and is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Paracetamol is widely used across the world, with over 50 percent of pregnant women taking the drug for relief from fever, headaches, and general pain. It has been endorsed by regulatory and clinical bodies globally, including the WHO, as safe when used in moderation and under medical advice.
“Any medicine should be used with caution during pregnancy, especially in the first three months, and in line with advice from health professionals,” WHO noted.
The health body advised women to continue following guidance from their doctors, who are best placed to assess individual health needs during pregnancy.
In the same statement, the WHO reiterated the importance of routine childhood immunisations amid growing vaccine hesitancy in several parts of the world.
It stated that vaccination schedules are developed using evidence-based, rigorous procedures, and have “saved at least 154 million lives over the past 50 years.”
The agency warned that delays or disruptions in immunisation could sharply increase the risk of infections, not only for children but for entire communities.
