Experts help frantic families after president links Tylenol use in pregnancy to autism
There is a lot of concern and confusion over President Donald Trump's claims linking the use of Tylenol during pregnancy to autism.
Several top medical groups are pushing back, and the stock price of Tylenol plummeted.
This has left families wondering what they should do.
"Right after the press conference, your phone starts ringing off the hook. I started getting emails, text messages asking Miss Sherry, What do you think? What should we do? What's happening because I took Tylenol, I'm freaking out," Sherry Singh said.
Singh began the group 'Whole Spectrum Autism' 10 years ago.
Nearly 40 years ago, she gave birth to her son Ravi, who has severe autism.
She suffered through years of guilt and blame,
She had taken Tylenol but emerged after learning all she could about the condition.
Now she is helping other families cope.
"We need the expertise, we need more research and we need more evidence before we want to jump and say yes this is what caused autism," she said.
Many autism experts are reporting frantic families with questions and calling after President Trump publicly linked Tylenol use with autism.
Dr. Suzanne Buchanan is the executive director of Autism in New Jersey and said, "Acetaminophen is safe. It can be taken during pregnancy, as everyone agrees, in the smallest doses possible, because what we also know is that high fever and prolonged illness can result in birth defects."
The New Jersey Department of Health, along with the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority, says in part, "Evidence-based research demonstrates the continued benefits of early vaccinations and safe use of Acetaminophen for pregnant people," and advises them to consult their doctors.
The makers of Tylenol said in part, "We believe independent sound science clearly shows that taking Acetaminophen does not cause autism. We strongly disagree with any suggestion otherwise and are deeply concerned about the health risks and confusion this poses for expecting mothers and parents."
Organizations are now calling on the Trump administration to step up.
"We would love to see this administration partner with the scientific community in transparent and rigorous ways to make sure that everybody has the same definition of gold standard science so that we can get the answers that the autism community deserves," Buchanan said.
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