Scientists and researchers have sharply criticized former US President Donald Trump following his calls for pregnant women to avoid taking paracetamol (acetaminophen), claiming it causes autism in children. According to experts, Trump is spreading false and unreliable information, disregarding extensive long-term studies, and thereby endangering the health of mothers and infants. This was reported by Bloomberg.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics have strongly condemned Donald Trump`s «scientific advice.» They emphasize that distorting scientific data harms individuals with autism, and providing such recommendations is highly irresponsible.
Mady Hornig, a clinical scientist at Columbia University in New York who has spent 25 years researching risk factors for autism in children, told Bloomberg that the statements disseminated by the White House misrepresent reality. «It sounded like there was evidence that not reducing a fever is a good thing,» she remarked. One of her studies conducted in Norway revealed that moderate to high fever during pregnancy increases the risk of autism by 40%, particularly during the second trimester. Taking paracetamol significantly reduces this risk. According to Hornig, the primary factor influencing autism development is an unmanaged fever. Overall, autism development is attributed to a combination of factors, corroborated by scientists worldwide, including genetics, parental age, environmental conditions, infections, and more.
The global press also reacted to Donald Trump`s remarks.
