09/25/2025
At Door County Medical Center, our primary focus is the health of our community. In light of recent comments from the White House regarding the use of acetaminophen (Tylenol), our doctors want to ensure that patients receive accurate, evidence-based information.
*There is no evidence that the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy causes autism.*
Dr. Elizabeth Gaida, Obstetrician & Gynecologist, states: “My stance mirrors that of both the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), the largest organizations of obstetricians and perinatologists in this country. There is no high-quality data that suggests acetaminophen use in pregnancy causes autism. There is real harm in not treating fevers or pain in pregnancy, and there are no safe alternative medicines to take in pregnancy. My concern is that pregnant women will avoid acetaminophen and instead use other OTC medications such as ibuprofen or naprosyn (naproxen), for which we have good evidence and biologic mechanism of action data that those medications are harmful to a developing fetus.”
Dr. Shane Colvin, Pediatrician, adds: “My professional opinion and recommendation match that of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and similar statements from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM). No study has found significant or confirmed associations between the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and a child’s risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability. Acetaminophen is a safe over-the-counter medication for children when taken and dosed correctly with guidance from a pediatrician.”
Door County Medical Center encourages patients to rely on evidence-based guidance and to consult with their providers before making changes to their medication use.
Read the full statement from the AAP here:
https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/fact-checked/acetaminophen-is-safe-for-children-when-taken-as-directed-no-link-to-autism/ #:~:text=The%20AAP%20supports%20the%20Amercian,in%20pregnancy%2C%20including%20pain%20relief
