Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed Thursday that early circumcision and the use of Tylenol may double autism rates in boys, citing two studies without naming them. Speaking at a Trump administration Cabinet meeting, Kennedy said, “It’s highly likely because they’re given Tylenol.”
Researchers and medical organizations immediately rejected the assertion. The 2015 Danish study Kennedy appeared to reference tracked 334,000 males but was widely criticized for methodological flaws and failing to show causation. Major health bodies, including the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, reaffirmed that acetaminophen remains safe for use during pregnancy when taken as directed.
Experts note that decades of research have found no connection between Tylenol, circumcision, and autism. A 2024 JAMA review confirmed no causal link, warning that discouraging proper pain management during pregnancy could pose serious health risks.
Kenvue, Tylenol’s manufacturer, said it continues to evaluate available data but has found “no causal link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and developmental issues.”
Public polling from KFF shows most Americans doubt the claim, reflecting persistent skepticism toward Kennedy’s pattern of promoting fringe medical theories.
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