Autism diagnoses have seen a significant rise in recent years, leading to increased public interest and concern regarding its causes and treatments. In 2022, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that roughly 1 in 31 eight-year-olds were diagnosed with autism. This demonstrates the growing awareness of autism in very young children. Just as this knowledge was blossoming, former President Donald Trump made headlines. He cautioned that using Tylenol in pregnancy could be associated with autism.
Simultaneously, the Trump administration announced plans to update the label for acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, to reflect these purported risks. The administration also started the approval process for leucovorin. Given the established use of this medication in cancer care, the Therapy may be a promising new approach to treating autism. Initial clinical trials indicate that leucovorin can help some kids on the autism spectrum. The experts warn that the evidence is scant, and more research is required.
Rising Autism Rates
The CDC’s recent findings reporting a spike in autism diagnoses have sparked concern among parents and medical providers across the country. The result was a report that confirmed what we already knew, that autism rates among eight-year-olds continue to climb. This trend has led to alarms being sounded about the reasons behind it.
Experts stress that autism is a multifaceted disorder with no known definitive cause. “Regarding autism, we know it is complex, highly variable and increasingly linked to genetics,” stated the American Academy of Pediatrics. The organization noted that “there is no single, root cause of autism, and there is no single medication that will give every autistic child or adult what they need.” This complexity is a testament to the overwhelming task families have in obtaining and managing the information and resources surrounding an autism diagnosis.
Symptoms of autism usually begin before the age of three and last throughout a person’s life, though issues may improve with treatment. These symptoms may evolve over time. The autism community has never been so celebrated and written about – or misunderstood. So children and teens are being diagnosed more frequently, which has contributed to an increase in reported cases in recent years.
Controversial Claims About Tylenol
In his recent proclamations, Trump specifically railed against using Tylenol during pregnancy. He gave bizarre reasons, like saying it increased the risk of autism in kids. “You know, I’m just making these statements from me,” he remarked. He doubled down on his position by claiming that unlike the doctors he listens to, he uses “common sense.”
This provision has been widely condemned by public health experts and organizations. The American Psychiatric Association responded firmly, asserting that “a strong base of evidence shows that acetaminophen, when taken as directed, is safe for use during pregnancy.” They called for solutions that prioritize making well-informed treatment decisions grounded in strong evidence. They highlighted the value of teamwork among patients and their health care providers.
Dr. Steven Fleischman voiced his concerns regarding Trump’s assertions, deeming them “highly concerning to clinicians” and irresponsible in light of potential consequences for pregnant patients who may require acetaminophen for pain relief. Fleischman stated, “Suggestions that acetaminophen use in pregnancy causes autism not only create confusion but pose health risks for expecting mothers.”
The FDA reiterated the lack of established causal relationships between acetaminophen and autism, emphasizing that while associations have been described in studies, these do not confirm causation.
Leucovorin’s Potential and Limitations
Trump administration’s recent announcement to allow leucovorin to be made available has many experts divided in the medical community. Still, it has gone further to stoke fears about Tylenol. Leucovorin has been tested in some small studies that have looked at its ability to reduce specific symptoms tied to autism, with promising results. Experts warn that there’s a long way to go before it’s ready for the treatment toolbox.
The Coalition of Autism Scientists also attacked the administration’s assertions regarding Tylenol and leucovorin. They contended that these claims were unnecessarily frightening people and lacked any substantial scientific basis. “The data cited do not support the claim that Tylenol causes autism and leucovorin is a cure,” they stated. In addition, they made clear that most importantly they wanted to see the administration own the rigorous scientific evidence and not the baseless assertions.
Dr. Marty Makary, author of Unaccountable and Fixing Healthcare, has long argued for transparency in the healthcare communications sphere. “We’re just saying we want this body of scientific evidence now to be a part of that informed consent so that individuals can engage in proper shared decision making,” he noted. Families wrestling with autism diagnoses are entitled to sound scientific advice based on reliable research. This call for transparency and clarity makes the case for that greater need.
