Acetaminophen and Misinformation

 September 25, 2025- Thursday 

Two days ago, President Trump, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy, and Dr. Mehmet Oz stood in a press conference and talked about the ties between the use of acetaminophen and autism. The causes of autism have been a campaign Robert Kennedy has been on for years which is laudable. One of Kennedy’s big initiatives when appointed to his position was to discover the cause of autism so we can rid society of autism.  

There have been scientific studies performed to attempt to isolate the causes of autism, but all the studies have been inconclusive. The studies posed several key observations. They use the words the following about acetaminophen, could have been involved, might be involved, and possibly could be. In looking at research studies, all of those observations indicate there is not enough information about the study to reach any conclusions. The fact is that these studies should not have been used to pronounce “possibly” finding a cause for autism.  

Citing these studies in a formal manner in which it was done was totally irresponsible. These three men were working to lend more credibility to a study with very little credibility regarding a cause of autism. This was a political stunt done in an attempt to meet a campaign promise. This announcement was irresponsible and should have never even been considered. These leaders failed the country on this topic. Frankly, they do not know what they are doing. Dr. Oz knows better. The other two are just ignorant. 

Acetaminophen is known to be hard on babies’ livers. That is where acetaminophen is broken down and during the first and second trimesters, acetaminophen should be used only when needed. This is not new information and has been very well known in the medical community. 

Acetaminophen is necessary when babies have elevated temperatures. Something that is very well known is that high temperatures can damage infant brains and high temperatures must be treated and treated quickly. Acetaminophen is part of the usual treatment regimen needed to address this physical need. This irresponsible statement will lead some new parents to wait to use acetaminophen with babies with high fevers and this is dangerous.  

The bottom line is this; we have the wrong people in leadership of the Department of Health and Human Services and specifically the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health.  This political appointee is not fit to be directing these agencies and should be removed before more damage is done. I know this will not happen and these misguided individuals will move toward other irresponsible moves. Hopefully, people will realize these people are not competent and will rely on solid, medical professionals to direct them in caring for themselves and others.