UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Health Secretary Wes Streeting urged expectant mothers to ignore Donald Trump’s false claims linking paracetamol in pregnancy to autism, citing no evidence.
As reported by The Independent, Wes Streeting rejected US President Donald Trump’s claims linking paracetamol to autism, citing no scientific basis.
Donald Trump pointed to a “meteoric rise” in autism, suggesting Tylenol, known as paracetamol in the UK, could be linked to the increase.
Autism campaigners and British researchers rejected the president’s remarks.
What did Wes Streeting say about Trump’s paracetamol claims?
Wes Streeting stated,
“I trust doctors over President Trump, frankly, on this”,
that he called on pregnant women not to pay “any attention whatsoever” to the US president’s comments.
He said,
“I’ve just got to be really clear about this: there is no evidence to link the use of paracetamol by pregnant women to autism in their children. None.”
Mr Streeting stated,
“In fact, a major study was done back in 2024 in Sweden, involving 2.4 million children, and it did not uphold those claims.”
The health secretary added,
“So I would just say to people watching, don’t pay any attention whatsoever to what Donald Trump says about medicine. In fact, don’t take even take my word for it, as a politician – listen to British doctors, British scientists, the NHS.”
What did Donald Trump say about vaccines and paracetamol?
In his White House statement, Donald Trump said,
“There are certain groups of people that don’t take vaccines and don’t take any pills, that have no autism.”
He claimed pregnant women should endure pain instead of taking medication and questioned vaccines without evidence.
Mr Trump questioned US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., asking if that statement was correct.
He said the US Food and Drug Administration will circulate new paracetamol guidance to doctors nationwide.
Mr Trump added,
“Ideally, you don’t take it at all, but if you have to, if you can’t tough it out, if there’s a problem, you’re going to end up doing it.”
The president’s vaccine statements drew criticism, with experts warning that children are dying from measles, whooping cough, and RSV, which can be life-threatening.
Experts say the rise in US autism cases is due to broader definitions and improved diagnoses.
What did Mel Merritt say about Trump and Kennedy Jr’s autism claims?
Mel Merritt, head of policy and campaigns at the National Autistic Society, stated,
“The incessant misinformation about autism from President Trump and Robert F Kennedy Jr risks undermining decades of research by respected experts in the field.”
He said,
“Understandably, autistic people will be dismayed and frightened by this announcement, and we would urge our government and the NHS to stand by autistic people and to condemn this misinformation. To do otherwise risks creating further fear, stigmatisation and harm.”
Mr Merritt added,
“We urge anyone looking for information about autism to visit websites from trusted organisations such as the NHS and the National Autistic Society.”
What did Dr Monique Botha say about paracetamol and autism?
Dr Monique Botha, associate professor in social and developmental psychology at Durham University, stated,
“There are many studies which refute a link, but the most important was a Swedish study of 2.4 million births published in 2024 which used actual sibling data and found no relationship between exposure to paracetamol in utero and subsequent autism, ADHD or intellectual disability.”
She said,
“This suggests no causal effect of paracetamol in autism.”
Dr Botha said,
“Similarly, pain relief for pregnant women is woefully lacking and paracetamol is a much safer pain relief option during pregnancy than basically any other alternative and we need to take pain seriously for women, including whilst pregnant.”
She added,
“The fearmongering will prevent women from accessing the appropriate care during pregnancy. Further, it risks stigmatising families who have autistic children as having brought it on themselves and reinvigorates the long pattern of maternal shame and blame as we’ve seen re-emerge repeatedly over the last 70 years where we try to pay the fault of autism at the mother’s door one way or another.”
Claire Anderson’s views on paracetamol safety in pregnancy
Professor Claire Anderson, president of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, stated,
“Paracetamol has been used safely by millions of people for decades, including during pregnancy, when taken as directed.”
She added,
“It is the first-line choice for pain management and fever control in a variety of patients, including pregnant women, children and the elderly. A large study conducted in 2024 found no evidence of a link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and an increased risk of autism in children.”
What did the Harvard and Mount Sinai study show about acetaminophen use in pregnancy?
Researchers at Harvard TH Chan and Mount Sinai warn that acetaminophen use during pregnancy could be linked to higher chances of autism and ADHD.
The study emphasised the drug’s role in maternal care, despite guidance to restrict use to protect infants.
Key facts about the autism patients in the UK
Over 1 in 100 people in the UK are autistic, totalling 700,000. As of mid-2025, 236,000 await assessments, with waits over 17 months.
Nearly 90% have waited longer than the recommended 13 weeks. Around 85% of autistic adults are underemployed or earn less than others.