President Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are anticipated to make remarks on a purported hyperlink between Tylenol and autism, and suggest a most cancers drug as an answer.
AILSA CHANG, HOST:
Throughout a White Home press convention as we speak, President Trump introduced that federal well being officers would discourage pregnant ladies from taking the ache drug acetaminophen, which is the energetic ingredient in Tylenol. He mentioned the drug might enhance a baby’s danger of growing autism.
(SOUNDBITE OF PRESS CONFERENCE)
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: So taking Tylenol is just not good. All proper, I will say it. It isn’t good. For that reason, they’re strongly recommending that ladies restrict Tylenol use throughout being pregnant until medically obligatory.
CHANG: Trump additionally mentioned the Meals and Drug Administration would change the label of a most cancers drug to encourage its use as a remedy for autism. Right here to speak about all of that is NPR science correspondent Jon Hamilton. Hello, Jon.
JON HAMILTON, BYLINE: Hey.
CHANG: OK, so what was the scene like on the White Home for this announcement?
HAMILTON: Trump, in fact, did a lot of the speaking, however he was flanked by Well being and Human Companies Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz, who oversees Medicare and Medicaid. These males largely nodded in settlement. Trump additionally took this actually lengthy detour to speak in regards to the risks of childhood vaccines, which he has additionally recommended may cause autism. However finally, he obtained round to asserting his newest plan to scale back the charges of autism, which is now recognized in about 1 in 3 youngsters within the U.S., and that plan entails discouraging use of acetaminophen, whereas encouraging use of a most cancers drug known as folinic acid or leucovorin.
CHANG: OK, let’s discuss first about acetaminophen as a result of I believed docs say it is the most secure ache drug to take throughout being pregnant. Is there any scientific proof linking it to autism?
HAMILTON: There isn’t any good proof that it causes autism, however there are some research which have discovered an affiliation – in different phrases, that ladies who reported taking acetaminophen whereas they have been pregnant appeared to be a bit extra more likely to have a baby who was later recognized with autism. Earlier than the press convention, I spoke with an writer of a type of research, Ann Bauer. She’s an epidemiologist on the College of Massachusetts who thinks pregnant ladies must be instructed about attainable danger from acetaminophen, however Bauer additionally was fearful that it is perhaps too quickly to have the federal authorities providing steerage on its use.
ANN BAUER: I am somewhat involved about how this message goes to come back out as a result of I feel they might be leaping the gun. I feel these of us within the analysis group wish to see stronger proof.
CHANG: Effectively, what sort of proof would she wish to see?
HAMILTON: The present proof in folks is usually within the type of affiliation research, which may’t present trigger and impact. They’re in contrast to a scientific trial, which has some members obtain a drug, and others do not. And most scientists have been fairly skeptical about going from an affiliation examine to vary in coverage. In addition they say {that a} drug or different environmental trigger could be very unlikely to clarify a lot a couple of dysfunction that’s so extremely genetic.
JONATHAN SABAT: We all know now that there are 100 or extra autism genes. And I might say that the latest research of acetaminophen counsel that the genetic components are fairly robust on this case.
HAMILTON: That was Jonathan Sabat, a professor of psychiatry on the College of California San Diego. And Sabat says genetics are by far the strongest danger issue for autism. He additionally says research that attempt to account for these genetic components, like the massive Swedish examine that was executed just lately, they don’t discover a hyperlink between autism and acetaminophen. Sabat additionally notes that taking acetaminophen throughout being pregnant can imply {that a} lady has well being issues that trigger ache, well being issues that additionally would possibly enhance the danger of autism.
CHANG: And actual fast, Jon, what about this type of vitamin B that they talked about? May or not it’s helpful as a remedy?
HAMILTON: A scientific case for that’s fairly weak. It is sometimes prescribed to sufferers present process most cancers chemotherapy. It does assist the physique produce folate, however it’s not clear that folate is missing in folks with autism.
CHANG: That’s NPR’s Jon Hamilton. Thanks a lot, Jon.
HAMILTON: You are welcome.
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