Donald Trump sparked controversy in the medical community last year by claiming to have discovered a link between paracetamol, known as Tylenol in the US, and autism during a press conference in the Oval Office. However, a new comprehensive scientific review published in the esteemed Lancet medical journal has refuted this assertion.
In response to Trump’s unsupported claims, Laura Lacey, 46, and her daughter Eva, both diagnosed with autism, expressed their dismay. Laura shared how her daughter, now 14, questioned her about taking paracetamol during pregnancy. She highlighted the unjust blame placed on mothers of autistic children by the US President.
Laura emphasized the emotional toll of these unfounded allegations, stating that they unfairly target mothers for a condition with well-established genetic links. She recounted the distress it caused Eva, who felt burdened by the implication that her mother’s actions during pregnancy had caused her autism.
The research, considered the “gold standard,” examined over a million children across 43 high-quality studies to investigate the effects of paracetamol use during pregnancy on autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability. The findings conclusively showed that taking paracetamol while pregnant does not increase the risk of these conditions in offspring.
Laura urged for the removal of guilt from mothers who have been wrongly led to believe they are responsible for their child’s autism. She cautioned against the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based information in making informed healthcare decisions.
Despite the debunking of Trump’s claims, Laura expressed concern that some individuals may continue to believe in the misinformation. She stressed the essential role of paracetamol in managing fevers during pregnancy and cautioned against the potential harm caused by baseless accusations.
As the scientific community continues to uphold evidence-based practices, it is crucial for accurate information to prevail in discussions surrounding maternal health and child development.