Title: Misinformation on Tylenol and Autism Rates Sparks Concern

Claims regarding the use of Tylenol during pregnancy and its potential link to autism have gained traction following comments made by President Donald Trump. During a recent Cabinet meeting, Trump reiterated assertions that autism rates are lower in certain communities, such as the Amish, due to their avoidance of medications and vaccinations. He also suggested that young children, including infants, should not be given Tylenol, although he did not provide supporting evidence for this statement.

These remarks have led to a surge of unverified claims online, including allegations that pregnant women are consuming excessive amounts of Tylenol to protest against the administration. Medical professionals have cautioned that such misinformation can pose serious risks. Dr. Alok Patel, a pediatrician at Stanford Children's Health, emphasized the importance of relying on scientific evidence and consulting healthcare providers. "I empathize with people who are turning on the TV, listening to the radio, or scrolling through their phone, and they're like, 'Oh my gosh, is acetaminophen safe? Is it not?'" he said. "At the end of the day, take a deep breath. Look at the science and talk to your doctor or health care professional. We will guide you through it."

The discussion about autism rates in the Amish community was sparked during a September news conference. Trump claimed, "I think I can say that there are certain groups of people that don't take vaccines and don't take any pills, that have no autism." He specifically mentioned the Amish, stating, "Yeah, virtually -- I heard none ... They have essentially no autism."

However, experts have pointed out that there is limited research on autism prevalence within the Amish population. Dr. Alan Shuldiner, a professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, noted that systematic studies are scarce. A 2010 report from researchers at the University of Miami and Vanderbilt University estimated that autism prevalence among Amish children in Indiana and Ohio was about one in 271. This figure is lower than the national rate of one in 31 reported in 2022.

Shuldiner cautioned against directly comparing these rates, stating, "It's really hard to compare prevalence rates. One in 271 is the number they got, but the methods that are used to estimate the prevalence of autism in the general population are quite different."

Dr. Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele, a child and adolescent psychiatry expert at Columbia University, added that genetic factors may also influence autism rates in the Amish community. He noted that certain genetic mutations, such as those in the CNTNAP2 gene, which is associated with nervous system development, could be more prevalent among Amish children. "There are genetic conditions that include autism, that are actually more common in the Amish population, including a variant," he explained.

As misinformation continues to spread, health officials urge the public to seek accurate information and consult with medical professionals regarding the safety of medications like Tylenol during pregnancy and the complexities surrounding autism prevalence.