HHS Report Linking Acetaminophen to Autism: A Look Back at the 2020 Controversy

In late 2020, during the final months of the Trump administration, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) faced controversy over an anticipated report. The report was rumored to suggest a link between the common painkiller acetaminophen (Tylenol) used during pregnancy, and certain vitamin deficiencies, to autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Reports from outlets like the Wall Street Journal indicated that these claims lacked robust scientific backing. At the time, figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. were associated with promoting unsupported claims about autism, adding to the scrutiny surrounding the agency’s actions.

HHS acknowledged working on a report but declined to comment on its specifics before its official release. However, the broader medical community, including the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, strongly affirmed the safety of acetaminophen during pregnancy for treating fever and pain, citing risks associated with untreated conditions. The Autism Science Foundation also emphasized the complexity of autism’s causes, stating that any association with acetaminophen was based on limited and inconsistent science.

Studies on the topic have yielded mixed results. While some smaller studies hinted at an association, a larger NIH-funded collaboration between U.S. and Swedish scientists, published in 2024, found no increased risk. Similarly, U.S. District Courts had reached comparable conclusions in product liability cases even before this major study.

The report was also expected to touch upon leucovorin (folinic acid), a form of vitamin B9, and its potential role. While folate is crucial for neurological development, and some research suggests a metabolic difference in individuals with autism that could affect folate levels, the scientific consensus in 2020, and largely since, has been that more studies are needed to establish a definitive link between folate levels and autism risk.

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