Pregnant women have been strongly advised to ignore controversial comments made by US President Donald Trump, who recently suggested a link between paracetamol use during pregnancy and autism in children.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting swiftly dismissed the remarks, calling on expectant mothers to rely on the expertise of medical professionals and the robust guidance of the NHS.
“Don’t Listen to Trump,” Warns UK Health Secretary
Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine, Mr Streeting addressed the confusion stirred by Trump’s claims during a press conference in which he warned against the use of Tylenol, the US name for paracetamol, suggesting it could lead to autism in unborn children.
“I would just say to people watching, don’t pay any attention whatsoever to what Donald Trump says about medicine. I trust doctors over President Trump, frankly, on this.
I’ve just got to be really clear about this: there is no evidence to link the use of paracetamol by pregnant women to autism in their children. None,” he added.
Mr Streeting cited a major Swedish study published in 2024 involving 2.4 million children, which found no connection between the use of paracetamol during pregnancy and the development of autism.
He emphasised that while healthy scepticism is acceptable, it’s crucial to rely on medical science and evidence-backed research.
In the UK, the NHS advises that paracetamol is the preferred pain relief for pregnant women. It’s widely used and is not considered harmful to developing babies.
Global Medical Experts Condemn “Irresponsible” Comments
Medical professionals across the UK and beyond have lined up to criticise Trump’s unverified assertions. Concerns have been raised that such remarks may spark unnecessary fear and discourage women from accessing safe pain relief during pregnancy.
Dr Monique Botha, Associate Professor of Social and Developmental Psychology at Durham University, firmly rejected the claims.
“There is no robust evidence or convincing studies to suggest a link between the common painkiller and autism. I am exceptionally confident in saying that no relationship exists. The fearmongering will prevent women from accessing the appropriate care during pregnancy,” she added.
Dr Botha also highlighted the broader issue of maternal guilt and the long-standing tendency to blame mothers for conditions like autism, warning that Trump’s claims risk reigniting that stigma.
Safe and Essential Treatment
Dr Edward Mullins, Clinical Associate Professor at The George Institute for Global Health, Imperial College London, echoed the scientific consensus, warning against the potential fallout of misinformation.
“In the absence of any new evidence, the reported press release from the Trump administration claiming it is [linked] would appear to be an unsubstantiated theory which is likely to lead to an essential treatment for fever and pain being denied to women in pregnancy without good reason,” he said.
Professor Claire Anderson, President of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, noted that paracetamol has been used safely by millions, including during pregnancy, for decades.
A 2024 study reviewed by Professor Anderson also found no link between paracetamol and autism, reinforcing the view held by most medical authorities.
MHRA: No Evidence of Harm
Dr Alison Cave, Chief Safety Officer at the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), reassured the public that current advice remains unchanged.
“There is no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children. Our advice on medicines in pregnancy is based on rigorous assessment of the best available scientific evidence,” she said.
She noted that the MHRA continually monitors all medicines, especially those used during pregnancy, and encouraged the public to report any side effects through the Yellow Card scheme.
New US-Based Study Adds Nuance – But Doesn’t Confirm Risk
In August, researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Mount Sinai released findings suggesting a potential association between exposure to acetaminophen (paracetamol) during pregnancy and increased likelihood of neurodevelopmental disorders.
However, the study, which reviewed 46 previous reports and was published in BMC Environmental Health, stopped short of confirming a direct causal link.
The researchers emphasised the importance of paracetamol in managing fever and pain, which, if left untreated, can themselves pose risks to foetal health.
Bottom Line: Follow Medical Advice, Not Political Rhetoric
The message from UK health leaders is clear: do not let misinformation override decades of research and trusted medical guidance.
At a time when conspiracy theories and unproven claims can spread rapidly online, pregnant women are being reminded to speak to their doctors, trust science, and stick with evidence-based care.
As Wes Streeting bluntly put it: “Don’t even take my word for it – listen to British doctors, British scientists, the NHS.”
