In an interview on Steve Bannon’s podcast War Room on Monday, CHD President Mary Holland downplayed the link, telling Bannon: “Today may be something of a sideshow—Tylenol is not the primary cause. Vaccines are the primary cause [of autism],” Holland said. (The claim that vaccines cause autism has been thoroughly and repeatedly debunked.)
Bannon, for his part, slammed Kennedy’s effectiveness as health secretary, calling his efforts to implement an anti-vaccine agenda unserious and amateurish. “This Tylenol thing stinks to high heaven,” he said.
No clear link between Tylenol and autism
The alleged link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and the development of autism is not entirely bunkum, but it also is far from proven. The scientific literature on the topic has been mixed, with some studies finding a possible association and others not finding one.
In August, a literature review in BMC Environmental Health led by a Harvard researcher reexamined data from 46 previously published studies and concluded that use of Tylenol early during pregnancy appeared to be associated with a higher risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism. But, it’s worth noting that many studies on the topic have significant limitations and don’t account for important factors, including genetic factors. It’s also important to note that the Harvard researcher behind that literature review served as an expert witness for a plaintiff’s legal team in a case claiming links between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental disorders.
