A recent review by Harvard School of Public Health Dean Andrea A. Baccarelli, which suggests a possible link between prenatal acetaminophen use and neurodevelopmental disorders, has been cited by former President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. '76. This follows discussions between Baccarelli, Kennedy, and National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya, according to a statement posted on an official White House X account.
Key Takeaways
- Harvard Dean Andrea A. Baccarelli's acetaminophen study was cited by Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- The study suggests a "possibility of a causal relationship" between prenatal acetaminophen and autism, calling for more research.
- HHS Secretary Kennedy announced the FDA will consider adding autism risk to acetaminophen labels.
- Baccarelli's grant funding was initially cut but later reinstated by a federal court ruling.
- Acetaminophen is used by over 50% of pregnant women globally for pain and fever, and few alternatives exist.
White House Cites Harvard Research on Acetaminophen
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. '76 and National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya recently held discussions with Harvard School of Public Health Dean Andrea A. Baccarelli. These conversations focused on Baccarelli's study, which explores a potential connection between acetaminophen and autism. The meeting occurred via phone, as confirmed by an HSPH spokesperson.
The content of Baccarelli's statement, detailing these discussions, appeared on an official White House X account. However, this statement was not published on the Harvard Public Health School's website or shared publicly by Baccarelli directly.
Important Fact
Acetaminophen, commonly known as Tylenol, is used by over 50 percent of pregnant women worldwide to manage fever and pain. It is often the only approved option during pregnancy due to concerns about other pain relievers.
Trump's Press Conference and Autism Allegations
During a White House press conference on Monday, former President Donald Trump, joined by Kennedy and Bhattacharya, claimed that exposure to acetaminophen causes autism in children. While Trump did not specifically name Harvard, Food and Drug Commissioner Marty A. Makary referenced Harvard studies to support this assertion.
"To quote the dean of the Harvard School of Public Health, there is a causal relationship between prenatal acetaminophen use and neurodevelopmental disorders of ADHD and autism spectrum disorder," Makary stated at the press conference.
Trump also suggested that taking the drug during pregnancy could be linked to a "very increased" risk of autism. This public statement brought Baccarelli's research into wider public discussion.
Dean Baccarelli's Stance and Call for Further Study
Despite the strong claims made at the White House press conference, Dean Baccarelli's own statement presents a more cautious perspective. He argues that there is only a "possibility of a causal relationship" and stresses the critical need for more research on the topic.
Kennedy, during the press conference, announced that the FDA would begin the process of potentially adding autism risk information to the safety labels of products containing acetaminophen. Kennedy has previously, and without scientific consensus, claimed that vaccines cause autism. Identifying causes for autism has been a key part of his agenda as HHS Secretary.
Background on Funding
Baccarelli's review, published in August, utilized a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This grant was initially terminated as part of a $2.2 billion federal funding cut affecting Harvard. However, a U.S. district court judge recently ruled this cut unconstitutional. As a result, federal funds began flowing back to Harvard on Friday, two weeks after the court decision.
Research Collaboration and Acetaminophen's Role
Dean Baccarelli did not conduct this review alone. He collaborated with researchers from several institutions, including Mount Sinai, the University of California Los Angeles, and the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Their work involved reviewing previously published human studies on acetaminophen use.
According to the HHS, acetaminophen is one of the few safe options available for pregnant women to relieve fever and pain. Other pain and fever reducers have shown adverse effects during pregnancy, making acetaminophen a vital medication for many expectant mothers.
"As the only approved medication for pain and fever reduction during pregnancy, acetaminophen remains an important tool for pregnant patients and their physicians," Baccarelli wrote in his statement to the Trump administration. He also highlighted that high fever itself can be harmful to mothers.
A spokesperson for the Harvard School of Public Health declined to provide further comment on the White House's use of the research, instead referring to Dean Baccarelli's official statement.
