Poll: Many people unsure whether Tylenol in pregnancy causes autism

Most people said they are “uncertain” whether to believe using acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, during pregnancy can increase the risk of autism in children, according to a KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust. Equal shares said it is “probably true” and “probably false”, according to a KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust. Only 4% of adults say the claim about a causal relationship is “definitely true”, while 35% of adults say the claim of a link is “definitely false.” KFF conducted the survey after President Trump claimed a Tylenol-autism link, despite mixed results showing an association between the two in previous studies. Major medical groups and researchers cautioned there is not a proven cause-and-effect link. (KFF news release, 10/9/25)