A major healthcare provider headquartered in Green Bay has responded to claims coming from the White House and the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS).
At a press conference on Monday (September 22nd), President Donald Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made claims that the use of acetaminophen, which they broadly categorized as Tylenol, during pregnancy can be linked to an autism diagnosis in a child.
However, Prevea has stated that they are choosing to support guidance that comes from the professional societies like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Academy of Pediatrics, which actively dispute the claims of President Trump and HHS Secretary Kennedy.
Regarding these claims, ACOG President Dr. Steven Fleischman said, “In more than two decades of research on the use of acetaminophen in pregnancy, not a single reputable study has successfully concluded that use of acetaminophen in any trimester of pregnancy causes neurodevelopment disorders in children.”
Dr. Fleischman continued to say, “In fact, the two highest-quality studies on this subject—one of which was published in JAMA last year—found no significant associations between use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and children’s risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability.”
On Monday, he also made it clear that he believes this assertion linking Tylenol and autism is unfounded.
“Today’s announcement by HHS is not backed by the full body of scientific evidence and dangerously simplifies the many and complex causes of neurologic challenges in children. It is highly unsettling that our federal health agencies are willing to make an announcement that will affect the health and well-being of millions of people without the backing of reliable data,” he explained.
The ACOG President also believes it was reckless to make this claim, stating, “Suggestions that acetaminophen use in pregnancy causes autism are not only highly concerning to clinicians but also irresponsible when considering the harmful and confusing message they send to pregnant patients, including those who may need to rely on this beneficial medicine during pregnancy.”
The complete statement from Dr. Fleischman can be found by visiting acog.org, while more on the matter from Prevea can be found on the Prevea Health Facebook page.
