Posted on 09/22/2025 12:34:10 PM PDT by nickcarraway
And Wall Street Journal story also suggests HHS will recommend leucovorin for autism symptoms
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to announce that maternal use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) is potentially linked to autism in a new report, according to sources reported by the Wall Street Journalopens in a new tab or window.
The report also will suggest that leucovorin, also known as folinic acidopens in a new tab or window -- a medication used in conjunction with cancer drugs like methotrexate to counteract their toxic effects -- can be used to treat autism symptoms, the sources said.
"The results of the leucovorin studies so far are inconsistent and based on small studies," Alycia Halladay, PhD, chief science officer of the Autism Science Foundation, told MedPage Today. "Autism is too complex to be caused by one environmental factor or effectively treated by a single compound."
The HHS report, expected this month, is likely to suggest that potential causes of autism include low levels of folate and acetaminophen taken during pregnancy, the sources added.
Acetaminophen is used by the majority of pregnant womenopens in a new tab or window, and some women continue to use the analgesic for many weeks in pregnancy.
In a statement, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) said it continues to advise that acetaminophen is appropriate to treat pain and fever during pregnancy, as these can carry risks for the fetus and mother.
"Untreated fever, particularly in the first trimester, increases the risk of miscarriage, birth defects, and premature birth, and untreated pain can lead to maternal depression, anxiety, and high blood pressure," said SMFM.
Evidence about acetaminophen's relationship with fetal development is mixed.
In 2021, a consensus statementopens in a new tab or window published in Nature Reviews Endocrinology claimed a growing body of research showed prenatal exposure to paracetamol (acetaminophen) may alter fetal development and increase the risks of neurodevelopmental, reproductive, and urogenital disorders.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologistsopens in a new tab or window (ACOG) responded, saying no clear evidence proves a direct relationship between the prudent use of acetaminophen during any trimester and fetal developmental issues, but women should consult with their doctors first.
"Neurodevelopmental disorders, in particular, are multifactorial and very difficult to associate with a singular cause," ACOG wrote. "The brain does not stop developing until at least 15 months of age, which leaves room for children to be exposed to a number of factors that could potentially lead to these issues."
There have been seven large-scale, rigorous epidemiological studies assessing whether prenatal acetaminophen and autism are linked, observed David Mandell, ScD, of the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia, and an executive committee member of the Coalition of Autism Scientists.
"One finds an effect and six find no effect," Mandell told MedPage Today. "It is really challenging to separate out the effect of Tylenol from the effect of the infections that may lead people to take Tylenol," he added.
In 2024, sibling control analyses in Swedenopens in a new tab or window found that acetaminophen use during pregnancy was not associated with children's risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. However, models without sibling controls showed marginally increased risks, suggesting that family-related variables like genetics may be a factor.
Earlier this month, U.S. researchers published a review of 46 studiesopens in a new tab or window, saying that 27 studies reported positive associations between acetaminophen and neurodevelopmental disorders, nine showed null associations, and four indicated negative associations (protective effects).
SMFM said that a thorough review of studies discussing potential links between prenatal acetaminophen use and risks of autism or attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children does not establish a causal relationship.
"At this time, the weight of scientific evidence that acetaminophen use during pregnancy causes an increased risk for autism or ADHD is simply inconclusive," SMFM President Sindhu Srinivas, MD, MSCE, said in the statement. "In maternal-fetal medicine, as in all of medicine, our recommendations are based on an evaluation of rigorous research and data, clinical expertise, and our patients' values and preferences."
The HHS report takes a measured approach, listing possible causes of autism and discussing what's known and unknown, people familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal.
The NIH reportedly is taking the lead on drafting the report, which is set to be released later this month and largely expected to be based on existing research.
NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD; FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD, MPH; and CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, MD, are helping to shape the autism report, sources said.
The federal government did not confirm any details about the report.
"We are using gold-standard science to get to the bottom of America's unprecedented rise in autism rates," an HHS spokesperson said. "Until we release the final report, any claims about its contents are nothing more than speculation."
Pregnant women today are given massive doses of folate.
“Tylenol was invented in 1955.”
According to the American Chemical Society, it was first “prepared” in 1878. It was marketed in 1950 as Triagesic.
When I was pregnant with our son in 1972, I had strep throat and a fairly high fever. The doctor said aspirin was not safe, but Tylenol was. I took it then and later with a bad cold. Our son is a very high-functioning autistic.
Not saying that’s what caused it, but...
Anything .... but .... The Thing.
RFKJ has spent YEARS tying kid’s jabs to autism.
And, today we get Tylenol?
Shaking my head.
We've all had those in our lives. Mine is getting old, and the horse$hit that goes along with it. We're glad you've been a part of FR all these years. Wouldn't be the same without you.
Just wanted to point out we had a full time statistician on staff to understand the process with the goal to reduce variability. Just to name a few Stats tools, like brain storming, DOE (design of experiments), regression analysis. Degrees of Freedom etc etc etc. DOE was always interesting, could help determine a variability of an unknown. BTW, we would double blind these results to provide confidence.
JFK Jr has quite a job. Nuttin’ like popping a pill & trying to figure out all the inner reactions x2, (mother & child) ! JFK has tons of data on hand start analyzing, perfect for AI.
Here’s my quote back to you from my early years Stats 101, my Prof said ‘In God We Trust - others provide data’. Never forgot that!
I’ll give you a quote...
“There are lies, damned lies, and statistics.”
Trust is the coin of the realm.
And Big Med and Big Pharma are flat busted.
Yup, seems there’s a positive correlation to Spina Bifida & low Folate Acid.
Sounds democratic.
OMG, you may have just solved the key to autism..........
And to think, I was here to witness the revelation.
Now, this does not mean that it is not over diagnosed or that vaccines may not play a role in other ways.
But this is something that does fit time line wise into the increase.
Yes, that is the reason; but what side effects does it cause? What results from overcoming Spina Bifida? There is a defect where the brain drops or forms lower than normal in the skull cavity,I forget the name of it, and it blocks the fluid flow between the skull cavity and spinal column and other problems. Is this malady results from overcoming Spina bifida? Is there any correlation between autism and this malady?
I guess you don’t call yourself Hot Tabasco for nothing hey?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.