JERICKA DUNCAN:
00:00:22
Without presenting new evidence, President Trump reversed decades of medical guidance and claimed drugs containing acetaminophen can be associated with an increased risk of autism. Critics, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said the announcement, quote, "affects the health and well-being of millions of people without the backing of reliable data." The messaging of "tough it out" is something that, unfortunately, we have said to women in healthcare in this country for far too long.
JERICKA DUNCAN:
00:00:53
Dr. Lucky Sekhon is an OB/GYN and fertility doctor in New York City and a mother of two. Should the American people be listening to their medical doctors? Or should they be listening to the President of the United States? I feel surprised that we're at a place right now in the timeline where we are even confronted with that type of a decision.
JERICKA DUNCAN:
00:01:14
If left untreated, doctors say high fever or severe pain can cause more harm to the mother or fetus than the drug itself. Mandi Mamanna is 7 months pregnant and says she'll consult with her doctor. I have used Tylenol in my pregnancy already when I've needed it.
JERICKA DUNCAN:
00:01:33
The largest study of its kind, released last year, involving 2.5 million children in Sweden, found no causal connection between autism and acetaminophen use in pregnancy. We're, once again, putting the blame on mothers for no apparent reason, and with no evidence to back that up.
JERICKA DUNCAN:
00:01:52
Viktor Ahlqvist is the co-author of the study.
VIKTOR AHLQVIST:
00:01:54
The alternatives to acetaminophen in the US might be other medications with less safe profiles. We do know that these have serious consequences when used in pregnancy, both for the mom and for the baby. The Food and Drug Administration says it will now put a new warning label on the drug. Now, Kenvue, the company that makes and markets Tylenol, says, quote, "we believe independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism." And, Gayle, a lot of doctors we spoke to talking about wanting more information. So they can interpret that medical literature. Gayle?
GAYLE KING:
00:02:30
All right, Jericka, always talk to your doctor. Always good advice. Thank you very much.
