According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) appear to be on the rise, with children being diagnosed between the ages of three and five years old.
Studies report that the number of children diagnosed with ASD has increased by roughly 100 percent every two years since 2000. As per estimates, 1 in 54 children in America now has an autism spectrum disorder.
The reasons behind this increase are unclear, but some researchers believe that environmental factors may play a role—and one of those factors could be Tylenol present in many prenatal vitamins during pregnancy.
It is estimated at least 50 million people in the USA(roughly 20% of the population) consume Tylenol or another acetaminophen product weekly. A growing body of evidence from various studies is suggesting there could be a link between Tylenol consumed by expecting mothers and the rise of autism in children.
Current Evidence of Connection Between Tylenol and Autism
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advises pregnant women to avoid drug use during pregnancy except when medically needed.
There have been several studies conducted over multiple decades investigating whether prenatal exposure to acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) can affect brain development and increase the risk for autism spectrum disorders later in life.
- Dr. Anthony Torres first studied the relationship between ASD with acetaminophen and infection during pregnancy. He laid down the hypothesis that acetaminophen-like painkillers consumed by pregnant mothers can alter the brain development of the unborn child, leading to ASD(Autism Spectrum Disorder).
- A study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that acetaminophen use during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of hyperkinetic disorders (HKD), a group of behavioral and developmental disorders that includes attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The review, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, evaluated data from five studies that included more than 250,000 children from North America and Europe.
- In another paper published in Pediatrics, researchers also found a link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and ADHD in children ages 7 to 9 years old. In addition, they found evidence linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism risk.
- A 2014 study published in JAMA Pediatrics showed that acetaminophen use during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of hyperkinetic disorders (HKD), a group of behavioral and developmental disorders that includes attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- In 2016, Dr. Ray described in a research article the “window of vulnerability” for autism, which is the period between 16-32 weeks of gestation into the second trimester, at which time exposure can lead to ASD risk factors later in life.
Can I seek compensation for Tylenol consumption allegedly causing autism in a loved one?
Various law firms are currently seeking applications from individuals before for a class action lawsuit. We suggest you choose a law firm based on references as well as the previous record of the law firm in being able to “close” class action lawsuits satisfactorily.
If you believe Tylenol Consumption during the period of pregnancy impacted the cognitive abilities of a child closely related to you, resulting in an autism spectrum disorder, please follow verified online resources for updates on the Tylenol Lawsuit.
How common is Autism in the USA?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 1 in 54 children have been identified with ASD, including 1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls.
The number of children diagnosed with autism has increased substantially in the past decade. Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with ASD than girls.
What are the symptoms of Autism?
Autism affects a child’s development and ability to communicate and interact socially. Some of the symptoms include:
- Social interaction.
- Communication, language, and communication skills.
- Behavioral issues such as acting out, aggression, or self-injury.
- Sensory processing issues make it difficult for a child with autism to understand or cope with his or her environment in the same way as other children do. For example, being sensitive to sights, sounds, and touch; overreacting to stimuli like loud noises, failing to recognize danger signs.
Conclusion
While it’s important for pregnant women to be mindful of drug use during pregnancy, these studies do not provide conclusive evidence. More research is needed to understand how acetaminophen affects the developing fetus and whether this exposure can affect a child’s risk of developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In addition, more studies are needed to determine whether ibuprofen can reduce this risk.
However, if you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant soon and have been taking Tylenol regularly before this time, we recommend consulting with your doctor before discontinuing use during pregnancy because there could be some risks involved in doing so well (such as bleeding or other complications).