UK well being specialists and officers have pushed again on Donald Trump’s declare that paracetamol is linked to autism, saying there’s “no evidence” for it.
The US president mentioned on Monday that there had been a “meteoric rise” in circumstances of autism and advised that the usage of Tylenol – an American-branded model of paracetamol – throughout being pregnant is a possible trigger.
His claims have been broadly corrected by officers, together with Well being Secretary Wes Streeting, who mentioned that “I trust doctors over President Trump, frankly, on this”.
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4:19
Trump hyperlinks autism with paracetamol
Talking on ITV’s Lorraine, Mr Streeting mentioned: “I’ve just got to be really clear about this: there is no evidence to link the use of paracetamol by pregnant women to autism in their children. None.”
The well being secretary then referenced a serious examine in Sweden final 12 months that concerned 2.4 million youngsters, including it “did not uphold those claims”.
He added: “I would just say to people watching, don’t pay any attention whatsoever to what Donald Trump says about medicine.
“Actually, do not take even take my phrase for it, as a politician – hearken to British medical doctors, British scientists, the NHS.”
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2:25
Trump’s ‘not so cautious’ autism claims
WHO says hyperlinks ‘inconsistent’
Affected person security minister Dr Zubir Ahmed MP echoed this on social media, saying: “For the avoidance of any doubt, Paracetamol remains the safest painkiller to take during pregnancy.”
Dr Alison Cave, chief security officer on the Medicines and Healthcare merchandise Regulatory Company, additionally mentioned that “there is no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children”.
She added that paracetamol “remains the recommended pain relief option for pregnant women when used as directed,” and that the MHRA’s recommendation “is based on rigorous assessment of the best available scientific evidence”.
The British officers have been supported by the European Medicines Company, which mentioned there was no new proof that may imply its suggestions for the usage of paracetamol throughout being pregnant would change.
Tarik Jasarevic, a World Well being Organisation spokesperson, added at a press briefing that the hyperlinks between the usage of the drug and autism “remains inconsistent”.
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2:14
Paracetamol & autism: Proof examined
Trump: Tylenol ‘not good’ for pregnant ladies
Throughout a press convention with US well being secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, Mr Trump urged pregnant ladies to cease taking Tylenol.
After saying that Mr Kennedy Jr “wants to be very careful with what he says,” the US president added: “Taking Tylenol is not good. All right. I’ll say it. It’s not good.
“For that reason, they’re strongly recommending that girls restrict Tylenol use throughout being pregnant until medically needed. That is, for example, in circumstances of extraordinarily excessive fever, that you just really feel you possibly can’t powerful it out. You’ll be able to’t do it. I assume there’s that.”
Mr Trump then mentioned key vaccinations for new child infants ought to be delayed, that mixed measles, mumps and rubella jabs ought to be given individually, and advised that they’re linked to autism.
“They pump so much stuff into those beautiful little babies, it’s a disgrace,” he added. “I don’t see it. I think it’s very bad.”
Mr Jasarevic pushed strongly again on that declare, saying: “We know that vaccines do not cause autism. Vaccines, as Isaid, save countless lives.
“So that is one thing that science has confirmed, and this stuff shouldn’t be actually questioned.”
