RFK Jr. says Tylenol in pregnancy, autism link is 'very suggestive'

Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images News

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday said that while there is no clear evidence that using Kenvue's (KVUE [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/KVUE]) Tylenol in pregnancy can cause autism in offspring, "it is very suggestive."

"The causal association between Tylenol given in pregnancy in the perinatal periods is not sufficient to say it definitely causes autism," RFK Jr. said at an HHS press conference. "However, it is very suggestive," adding that is based on animal, observational, and "core blood studies."

"That's why our message to patients...to people who are pregnant, to young mothers is to consult their physicians," he added [https://www.youtube.com/live/BcyBTYvXg6Y?t=2057s]. "We have asked physicians to minimize the use to when it's absolutely necessary."

RFK Jr.'s comments come after the Trump administration in September linked [https://seekingalpha.com/news/4497441-trump-administration-formally-links-tylenol-use-pregnancy-autism] Tylenol use in pregnancy to autism in children.

Since then, Kenvue has pushed back on the assertion, claiming that there is no data to support it and saying the painkiller is safe to use while pregnant. The US FDA is also facing pressure from groups pushing for a label change about the warning, leading Kenvue to formally ask the agency not [https://seekingalpha.com/news/4505665-kenvue-asks-fda-to-not-change-tylenol-label-potential-autism-risk] to do so.

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