The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners strongly objects to the Administration’s unproven claims about the impact of acetaminophen on maternal and child health. On Sept. 22, President Trump claimed that acetaminophen used during pregnancy or by young children is associated with autism.
Autism does not have one definitive cause, but factors such as genetics are known to contribute. There likely will never be a singular cause identified, but researchers have been making progress untangling the complex web of autism causation. To claim that one particular medication and/or vaccines are the cause of autism disregards years of evidence-based research. It undermines the complexity of the condition and could derail future scientific discovery and innovation to support families living with autism or perhaps find a cure. Further, it unnecessarily frightens pregnant women and families with young children.
As recently as 2024, JAMA published the findings of a national cohort study evaluating more than 2 million children: “Acetaminophen use during pregnancy was not associated with children’s risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability in sibling control analysis. This suggests that associations observed in other models may have been attributable to familial confounding.”
“I would hate for parents to stop using antipyretics for their children, especially young children who do not have a well-developed immune system,” says Dr. Felesia Bowen, NAPNAP president. “High and prolonged febrile states are dangerous. Acetaminophen has been one of the safest and most prescribed medications for treating fever and pain in infants and children for the last 60 years. Aspirin should not be used for fever control in children and adolescents.”
Ultimately, diagnosing health conditions and providing evidence-based guidance on medications or other treatments must be based on a personal interaction between the patient and their health care provider, taking into account the patient’s unique medical history. NAPNAP recommends that families consult their pediatric or family nurse practitioner, pediatrician or other pediatric health care provider when their child experiences pain or fever.
Sept. 23, 2025
