Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to release a report later this month examining possible links between autism and certain maternal health factors, according to reporting from The Wall Street Journal.
Sources familiar with the report say it will highlight prenatal acetaminophen (Tylenol) use and low folate levels during pregnancy as potential contributors to autism risk. The document will also note research suggesting that folinic acid (leucovorin), a form of folate, may help alleviate autism symptoms in some individuals.
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The report is expected to cite data showing that about one in 31 U.S. eight-year-olds was identified with autism in 2022. Acetaminophen remains one of the most commonly used medications during pregnancy, though research findings on developmental risks have been mixed.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) continues to advise that acetaminophen can be used during pregnancy when medically necessary, encouraging patients to consult their healthcare providers.
McNeil Consumer Healthcare, the Kenvue unit that manufactures Tylenol, said it has found no evidence of a causal relationship.
“Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of the people who use our products,” a company spokesperson said, adding that McNeil regularly reviews available scientific data.
An official announcement from HHS is anticipated later this month.
