INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Doctors are pushing back on President Donald Trump’s new claim that using Tylenol during pregnancy could lead to autism in children, and the administration’s scrutiny of vaccines.

On Monday, Trump announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will notify doctors that the use of Tylenol during pregnancy can be associated with a “very increased risk of autism,” despite decades of evidence proving that it is safe.

“They are strongly recommending that women limit Tylenol use during pregnancy unless medically necessary,” such as to treat fever, “if you can’t tough it out,” Trump said.

WISH-TV Medical Expert Dr. Janel Gordon joined Daybreak Tuesday to discuss the topics and answer questions.

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She concluded the interview by saying, “Tylenol does not cause autism from what recent studies have shown us. Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, nor having multiple vaccinations administered to a child at one time, (there is) no link to autism spectrum disorder.”

Here is how Dr. Gordon breaks down the commonly asked questions following Trump’s announcement:

Is Tylenol safe for pregnant women to take?

“We do recommend that individuals take Tylenol if it is needed. It’s always a conversation that should be had by their care team with the patient. And so if there are concerns, please make sure that you’re discussing this.”

What has been studied when it comes to acetaminophen use and autism in kids?

“Unfortunately, autism is one of those conditions that we are still trying to figure out what is causing it. We do know that there is a genetic component. It’s likely multifactorial and there is also likely an environmental cause or causes as a result of this condition.

“Multiple studies have shown that Tylenol or acetaminophen specifically and paracetamol in other parts of the world is not the cause of autism. There were some studies some years ago that said that there was a causal link.

“However, we do know now, after looking at it further, a study that was published in the Journal of American Medical Association, or JAMA, last year showed that there is no causal relationship. It actually looked at individuals who were exposed in pregnancy and their siblings who were not, as well as controlled subjects who were and were not exposed, and no link was found for acetaminophen to be a cause of autism. “

Doctors advise pregnant women to not take ibuprofen and to instead take Tylenol. There is a risk when pregnant women have fevers. Is there a risk in avoiding medicines all together while pregnant if they need it?

“Anytime we take a medication, there’s always a possible risk of side effects and complications. We also know that there is a condition inside the body, and we’re receiving warning signs, be that a fever, pain, that if we don’t do something, including at times using medication, that there could be severe complications that may result. So, again, it’s always important that if something is not right with your body, that you are seeking medical evaluation, and at times, urgently or emergently.”

The Trump administration urged folic acid use, which is in prenatal vitamins. Should women be reminded to take folic acid or folate?

“We heard from officials at the FDA that they’re going to be looking at leucovorin to see its benefit of use in pregnancy.

“We know that folic acid or folate is vitally important. There were some studies that also came out looking at neural tube defects possibly being the cause of autism. A study did show that in individuals with autism, there were a higher likelihood of neural tube defects, but then there were individuals with autism who did not have neural tube defects.

“To prevent neural tube defects, other intellectual disabilities, it is important that women of reproductive age, even if you’re unsure if you want to get pregnant, you should be taking at least 400 micrograms of folate or folic acid daily.

“And oftentimes, this can be found in a prenatal vitamin, but I do recommend that you flip that bottle over and make sure that it has enough in it.”

Where do vaccines stand with autism?

“A lot of hysteria and confusion has come out surrounding vaccines for many decades now. Notably the “MMR” – mumps, measles and rubella vaccine, linking that to autism, linking the preservative that oftentimes was found in vaccines, thimerosal, to autism.

“Studies have shown us time and time again that there is no link between the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine and autism or thimerosal and autism.

“Also, some concerns have been raised about us giving multiple vaccines to a child at one time and how that could increase the risk for autism…again, studies have shown time and time again that that is not accurate.

“We do know that we need more information as it relates to autism and what could be causing it so that we can prevent it. People are concerned that there’s an uptick in the incidence of the disease. It’s likely that we’ve increased and broadened the diagnostic criteria. And also, we’re talking about it more. So more and more people are being screened. We do need more answers.

“However, what we’re seeing right now, we do not find to be the actual cause — meaning Tylenol does not cause autism from what recent studies have shown us. Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, nor having multiple vaccinations administered to a child at one time, no link to autism spectrum disorder.”

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