"US Government to Announce Potential Link Between Tylenol Use During Pregnancy and Autism"

Kenvue Shares Drop 10 Percent After WSJ Report
Company Maintains "No Causal Link" Between Tylenol Use in Pregnancy and Autism

It has been reported that Robert Kennedy, the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, plans to release a report this month suggesting that the use of Tylenol, a widely used fever and pain reliever, by pregnant women may be potentially linked to autism in fetuses.

On September 5 (local time), The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported this news, citing sources familiar with the matter. According to the report, sources indicated that the report is likely to identify decreased levels of folic acid, an essential vitamin, and the use of Tylenol during pregnancy as potential causes of autism.

Tylenol

Tylenol is an over-the-counter pain reliever whose main ingredient is acetaminophen, and it is manufactured by a subsidiary of the pharmaceutical company Kenvue. While some previous studies have suggested risks to fetal development associated with Tylenol use during pregnancy, other studies have found no connection, according to WSJ. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that Tylenol is safe for use during pregnancy but, as with all medications, recommends that pregnant women consult their doctors before use.

Kenvue Shares Plunge 10 Percent

Following the WSJ report, Kenvue's stock price plummeted by 10 percent during afternoon trading on the same day. In a statement, Kenvue said, "We have continuously evaluated the science," and reiterated, "We continue to believe there is no causal relationship between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism."

Previously, Secretary Kennedy stated at a Cabinet meeting at the White House in April that he would identify the cause of the autism epidemic by September and announced the launch of a large-scale investigation and research effort involving hundreds of scientists worldwide. He pointed to statistics showing that the proportion of children with autism in the United States has risen from 1 in 150 in 2000 to 1 in 31 recently, emphasizing the seriousness of the autism epidemic.

Kennedy, who is well known for his vaccine skepticism, has claimed that vaccines cause autism and argued that the rate of autism is higher among vaccinated groups compared to unvaccinated groups. However, experts have countered that increased awareness of autism and more frequent testing may be the main reasons for the apparent rise in cases. They also note that families who follow routine childhood vaccination recommendations are more likely to have frequent contact with healthcare providers, increasing the likelihood of early autism diagnosis.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stated regarding the WSJ report, "Any claims about the contents of the report before the final release are purely speculative."