JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Earlier this week, President Trump declared that pregnant women should not take acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol, because of its possible link to autism in children.<\/p>\n
However, Dr. Katherine Pannel, President of the Mississippi State Medical Association, said the science does not back up that claim.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany, many studies done in the past, multiple large, well-credited, well-established, well-designed studies that have looked at the risk of autism, ADHD, with Tylenol, and they have found no credible link between the two,\u201d said Pannel.<\/p>\n
According to Pannel, there is a bigger risk that expectant mothers must weigh. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhile there\u2019s not really any true link between Tylenol and autism, there is an established link between high fevers and neurocognitive risk to the infant,\u201d Pannel explained.<\/p>\n
Some may ask why there has been a steady increase in autism rates.<\/p>\n
Pannel, a psychiatrist, pointed to a possibility.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re starting to understand it more. We are starting to know what to look for and how to test for it and so, of course, we are starting to pick up more,\u201d Pannel said. \u201cAnd that\u2019s where you\u2019re seeing the increased number of cases.\u201d<\/p>\n
So, here\u2019s what you need to know. <\/p>\n
Currently, the Mississippi State Department of Health and the University of Mississippi Medical Center still recommend taking the lowest possible dose of Tylenol for the shortest amount of time – as it is the only non-opioid option for fever and pain relief. <\/p>\n
\u201cNot saying, \u2018Well, I think I feel pretty good, but let me take one more dose,\u2019\u201d Dr. Lindsey Turner, an obstetrician-gynecologist, added. \u201cLet\u2019s go ahead and say, \u2018I feel better. Let me stop the therapy now.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Doctors said reports like this can cause fear and expectant mothers should always consult with their doctors. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt worries me because I think that one of the reasons we have identified that we do have a higher infant and maternal mortality rate is the access to care,\u201d Turner said.<\/p>\n
\u201cUntil there\u2019s actually a credible link, we can\u2019t just stop doing what we know works,\u201d Pannel said. \u201cI mean, that\u2019s when harm follows.\u201d<\/p>\n
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