Autism and Acetaminophen and the Continued Attack on Women in the US.

Stacey del Fabbro
Oct 1
4 min read

The Reports Weigh In - Understanding the Acetaminophen-Autism Debate

This week, the US government announced they believe acetaminophen is a possible cause of Autism in children. They can't say with 100% accuracy this true but they can't say it isn't either. Some recent studies suggest there might be a link between taking acetaminophen during pregnancy and a higher chance of autism in kids. A 2021 study in the International Journal of Epidemiology found that kids whose moms used acetaminophen while pregnant had a 20% higher risk of being diagnosed with autism. These findings are still up for debate, leading moms-to-be and doctors to rethink pain relief options during pregnancy.

This is a big deal since acetaminophen is a go-to painkiller, with about 60% of pregnant women in the U.S. using it at least once. If these links turn out to be true, it would mean rethinking how we handle pain for pregnant women.

I read the Harvard Report.

It states, "“Further research is needed to confirm the association and determine causality, but based on existing evidence, I believe that caution about acetaminophen use during pregnancy—especially heavy or prolonged use—is warranted.” " It is worth noting that the author of the article "Baccarelli noted in the “competing interests” section of the research paper that he has served as an expert witness for plaintiffs in a case involving potential links between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental disorders."

It went to say,

"“... the dean of the Harvard School of Public Health,(states) there is a causal relationship between prenatal acetaminophen use and neurodevelopmental disorders of ADHD and autism spectrum disorder,” Makary said"

It didn't sound decisive. Science Daily agreed with the possible link between Autism and acetaminophen however when on to say ,

""Untreated pain or fever can also harm the baby. ""

From Factually, I read this, likely most important bit, "However, the agency emphasizes a crucial caveat: while evidence suggests a possible association, a causal relationship has not been established, and there are contrary studies in the scientific literature ""

Autism and Acetaminophen : The Republican Agenda?

When they studied these women and children, did the take them from different lifestyle situations? Were the compared to those with a genetic predisposition? Could it be a genetic disposition? Perhaps it's the result of physical problems during delivery or the pregnancy or a lack of nutrition for those who don't have adequate money for food for their families. Or did they simply notice that some women who took the drug had children on the spectrum. As a mother, I'm tired of the guilt placed on women, especially when the Republican agenda seems to blame us for autism, ignoring genetic and socio-economic factors. Claiming taking anything while pregnant causes autism then puts the blame for autism squarely on women.

As a mother of a to child with autism, we are constantly bombarded with the questions, our own and from others, "Am I somehow responsible for this?" As soon as the news came out, a friend emailed to ask my feelings on the report. My response was, " I don't want to talk about this. Women are left with enough guilt. We didn't need this as well." The man responded with, "I didn't put any guilt on you. " Didn't you? What response do you possibly think you would receive? How could it make me feel? Happy?

It's because women didn't "suck it up" and live with the pain as Mr. Trump suggests we should. Quoted from the Harvard Common " ....Trump also said that the drug, also known as Tylenol, taken during pregnancy may be associated with a “very increased” autism risk.

“Don’t take Tylenol. Don’t take it,” he said. “Fight like hell not to take it.”

Any woman who has been pregnant knows the majority of us take all the precautions and more necessary to protect our child. If our doctor assures us the taking occasional acetaminophen is 100% safe for both of us and safer than having a high fever, we trust them.

Baccarelli’s statement, however, argues only that there is a “possibility of a causal relationship,” and calls for further study, the Harvard Common.

How It Affects Women’s Health Choices

The talk about acetaminophen and autism isn't just academic; it really hits home for women's health decisions. Women, often the main caretakers, feel the stress and uncertainty when new studies pop up. For example, a 2022 survey showed 73% of pregnant women worried about medication safety because of mixed messages.

The pressure to be the perfect mom is huge. Many women worry that even a simple painkiller could affect their child's health. This anxiety can make decision-making tough and add stress during pregnancy.

None of these studies can say with total accuracy that this drug had any more affect on these births than anything else. This is nothing more than another reason the cull American women, to curtail their reproductive nature, and their abilities to decide for themselves. Perhaps this is only my opinion but then the authors of these articles are only relating theirs.

The Need for Comprehensive Research

As the conversation continues, it's important to push thorough research on acetaminophen's effects during pregnancy. Future studies should look at risks and explore safe pain management alternatives.

Funding research into the long-term effects of medications on mothers and children is vital. Focusing on women's health research can ensure access to effective treatments that don't compromise maternal or child health.

The ongoing discussion about acetaminophen and autism highlights larger societal issues affecting women in the U.S. We need to prioritize women's health, provide accurate information, and advocate for significant research.

Women should be free to make informed health choices without fear of judgment or misinformation. By tackling these challenges, we can create a future where women's health is valued, and their voices are heard.