Sept. 23 (UPI) -- International health organizations reaffirmed their stance Tuesday that they've seen no scientific data linking the use of acetaminophen and the development of autism, contradicting an announcement by the Trump administration warning pregnant people against using the medicine.
The World Health Organization said studies looking at the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and the rate of autism in children were inconsistent.
"Although some observational studies have suggested a possible association between prenatal exposure to acetaminophen (paracetamol) and autism, the evidence remains inconsistent," WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said during a press conference in Geneva.
Meanwhile, the European Medicines Agency, the health arm of the European Union, said it's advice on the use of acetaminophen, known as paracetamol in parts of Europe, during pregnancy was unchanged.
"Paracetamol remains an important option to treat pain or fever in pregnant women," said Steffan Thirstrup, the EMA's chief medical officer. "Our advice is based on a rigorous assessment of the available scientific data, and we have found no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children."
On Monday, President Donald Trump spoke alongside several of his administration's health officials in the White House, warning against the use of acetaminophen. The medicine is sold as a pain reliever and fever reducer under multiple brand names, most notably Tylenol. Joining the president were Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy; Dr. Mehmet Oz, head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and members of the Food and Drug Administration.
"They are strongly recommending that women limit Tylenol use during pregnancy unless medically necessary," Trump said. "That's, for instances, in cases of extremely high fiver.
During the briefing, the officials also announced the FDA's approval of a lesser-known drug called leucovorin to treat autism. It's not a cure for the neurological condition, but it does treat cerebral folate deficiency, which is associated with autism.