• Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to release a report linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism.
• The report may propose folinic acid as a treatment for autism symptoms.
• Kenvue, the maker of Tylenol, defends the drug's safety amid falling stock prices.
• Previous studies have produced mixed results on Tylenol's link to autism.
• Health authorities emphasize the importance of folate while questioning speculative claims.

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly preparing a report suggesting a connection between the use of Tylenol (acetaminophen) by pregnant women and autism. This announcement follows a series of discussions and speculation surrounding public health policies, emphasizing both the potential risks of over-the-counter pain medications in pregnancy and the role of nutrients such as folate in neurodevelopment. The forthcoming report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is expected to highlight these connections, according to Newsweek and Reuters.

Kennedy's report is likely to suggest that low levels of folate and Tylenol usage during pregnancy could contribute to increased autism rates, which affect approximately one in 31 American children. Additionally, it might propose the use of folinic acid as a possible treatment for symptoms associated with autism. Kenvue, the manufacturer of Tylenol, has defended the drug's safety, asserting that there is no causal relationship between its use in pregnancy and autism, citing that leading health organizations support this stance, according to Reuters and BBC.

Following the news of Kennedy's upcoming report, shares in Kenvue dropped significantly, reflecting market concerns created by the speculation about the report’s contents. Reports have indicated that these shares fell by as much as 14% during trading, illustrating investors' nervousness about potential regulatory or societal backlash. Tylenol remains one of the most commonly recommended pain relief options for pregnant women, complicating the narrative surrounding its safety and efficacy, as noted by Reuters and Newsweek.

The Health and Human Services Department emphasized that any claims about the report are currently speculative and remarked on the importance of using "gold-standard science" to investigate the changes in autism prevalence. Critics highlight the ongoing debate in the scientific community about the safety of acetaminophen during pregnancy, referencing mixed research findings, including a 2024 study that found no causal connection between acetaminophen use and autism, according to Reuters and BBC.

While Kennedy's report may raise further questions about the causes of autism, it coincides with a backdrop of legal challenges against Kenvue regarding Tylenol's safety. A federal judge recently dismissed several lawsuits that claimed a link between Tylenol and autism, citing the lack of scientific evidence. These legal developments feed into the broader narrative of public health policy and maternal health, impacting recommendations by physicians and health organizations. The topic remains contentious, with various stakeholders advocating for continued research and cautious use of acetaminophen during pregnancy, as referenced by Reuters and BBC.