Paracetamol in pregnancy not linked to autism, Hong Kong says after Trump’s claims
Department of Health’s remarks come after US president urges pregnant women not to take Tylenol and claims it increases risk of autism in children
Paracetamol use during pregnancy will not lead to autism in children, Hong Kong health authorities have stressed, in an apparent rejection of US President Donald Trump’s recent claims of a possible link.
The Department of Health also emphasised on Thursday the importance of timely hepatitis B vaccinations for newborns.
It made the clarification after Trump urged pregnant women not to take Tylenol, the brand name for acetaminophen, or paracetamol, claiming it increased the risk of autism in children.
“Some authorities have specifically noted that studies suggesting a potential link between the two exhibit significant limitations and, in fact, failed to establish a causal relationship,” the department said.
“Conversely, the medical community has long confirmed through more rigorous large-scale studies that there is no association between paracetamol use during pregnancy and autism or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).”
It added that based on its records, no reports had been received linking paracetamol use during pregnancy to autism in children.
The department, which did not name Trump, also cited a recent statement by the World Health Organization (WHO), which indicated there was insufficient scientific evidence to conclude that paracetamol use during pregnancy causes autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders in children.