Michigan Doctors Refute Trump's Tylenol-Autism Link Claims

Michigan's medical community is actively countering President Donald Trump's recent assertions that acetaminophen, commonly known as Tylenol, is linked to autism when used during pregnancy. Local health experts stress that such claims are unfounded and could lead to unnecessary anxiety among expectant mothers.

Dr. Farhan Bhatti, a Lansing-based physician, expressed concern over the potential impact of these statements. He noted that some women might endure unnecessary discomfort due to fears stemming from the president's remarks. Dr. Bhatti emphasized that the recommendation to avoid Tylenol is based on faulty data contradicting extensive research affirming its safety during pregnancy. ([wilx.com](https://www.wilx.com/2025/09/23/mid-michigan-experts-react-recent-trump-administration-statement-tylenol/?utm_source=openai))

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) continues to recommend acetaminophen as a safe option for managing pain and fever in pregnant women. They advise using the medication at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration necessary. This guidance is supported by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which recently reaffirmed that paracetamol (the European equivalent of acetaminophen) remains an important treatment for pain and fever during pregnancy. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/eu-medicines-regulator-paracetamol-safe-be-used-during-pregnancy-2025-09-23/?utm_source=openai))

Dr. Sarah Mohiuddin, director of autism research at Michigan Medicine, highlighted that the rise in autism diagnoses is more likely due to expanded diagnostic criteria and increased awareness rather than any specific medication use during pregnancy. She pointed out that the major cause of autism is genetics, with theories about Tylenol stemming from small studies lacking robust evidence. ([planetdetroit.org](https://planetdetroit.org/2025/09/trump-tylenol-pregnancy-autism/?utm_source=openai))

The World Health Organization (WHO) also addressed the issue, stating that available evidence has found no link between the use of paracetamol during pregnancy and autism. They emphasized that while some observational studies have suggested a possible association, the evidence remains inconsistent, and several subsequent studies have found no such relationship. ([michiganpublic.org](https://www.michiganpublic.org/2025-09-23/world-health-officials-reject-trumps-claims-that-tylenol-is-linked-to-autism?utm_source=openai))

In light of these expert opinions, Michigan doctors advise pregnant women to consult their healthcare providers for personalized medical advice and to rely on established scientific guidelines when making decisions about medication use during pregnancy.