Tylenol time travel
RFK Jr and Trump have announced that the “cause” of autism is mothers who took acetaminophen during pregnancy. Not only are there no data supporting this, but chronology falsifies this theory.
Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler provided one of the earliest documented descriptions of autism-like behavior in 1911. He used the term “autistic” to describe some of the symptoms he observed in patients with schizophrenia, emphasizing their withdrawal from society.
American psychiatrist Leo Kanner published a seminal paper in 1943 that is often credited with defining autism as a distinct condition. Kanner described eleven children who displayed unique behaviors such as difficulties with social interactions, preference for routines, and delayed language development. He used the term “early infantile autism” to describe this condition.
Kanner’s work was significant because it differentiated autism from schizophrenia and other mental health conditions. He recognized autism as a developmental disorder that begins in early childhood, laying the foundation for future research and understanding.
Acetaminophen, however, only became available over the counter in 1960. The burden of proof rests with Trump and RFK Jr to explain how autism could be caused by a drug that hadn’t even been invented.
Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler provided one of the earliest documented descriptions of autism-like behavior in 1911. He used the term “autistic” to describe some of the symptoms he observed in patients with schizophrenia, emphasizing their withdrawal from society.
American psychiatrist Leo Kanner published a seminal paper in 1943 that is often credited with defining autism as a distinct condition. Kanner described eleven children who displayed unique behaviors such as difficulties with social interactions, preference for routines, and delayed language development. He used the term “early infantile autism” to describe this condition.
Kanner’s work was significant because it differentiated autism from schizophrenia and other mental health conditions. He recognized autism as a developmental disorder that begins in early childhood, laying the foundation for future research and understanding.
Acetaminophen, however, only became available over the counter in 1960. The burden of proof rests with Trump and RFK Jr to explain how autism could be caused by a drug that hadn’t even been invented.
Joel:
No, I do not believe Autism is the result of taking Tylenol. Totally off the chart . . . misleading conjecture and ignorance.
From the way your commentary reads, is Autism a childhood disorder that goes away when one reaches adulthood? My knowledge on Autism is minimal. Can you cast some additional information?
Thank you for the commentary
@Bill,
No. I know of no instances where autism goes away with age. What happens is that some people with autism adapt. Perhaps the most famous case is Temple Grandin.
Joel:
I know little about it. I just did my best to challenge him and entertain him till he goes in a different direction. His mom (who dates my son) was pleased with my attention. His father ignores him pretty much. My son works with him also and is more knowledgeable than I.
I am going in a different direction than Tylenol causing autism. Sorry for the highjack.
Not all adapt as well as others
Thanks for this Dr J, but it’s holding back the Nile with a bucket …
I agree 100% but the real question is whether Tylenol increases the risk of autism. Does sun exposure and/or smoking cause cancer? Some people smoke and never develop cancer. Many people have excess sun exposure and never develop cancer. But they can increase the risk of developing cancer. Tylenol obviously (for reasons you stated) doesn’t cause autism but does it increase the risk for autism? Many women take Tylenol to reduce fever during pregnancy. Maybe it’s the fever that is increasing the risk of autism. Maybe it’s the condition that caused the fever that increases the risk of autism. Years ago many pregnant women stayed home. Now many are in the workforce or out in public where they can be exposed to many more toxins, pathogens, etc. Maybe that’s the reason for increased autism rates. In any case, the science is inconclusive if Tylenol has anything to do with autism. Which brings us back to your original point: those two buffoons are clueless and people should listen to the experts.
@Mark,
“Does sun exposure and/or smoking cause cancer?”
Yes. Not all people who smoke or have extensive UV skin exposure get cancer–they die of something else first. Some people are genetically at higher risk of cancer and some have better DNA repair and are more resistant to carcinogens. And of course, many people who don’t smoke and have minimal UV skin exposure do get cancer. And some who smoke or have extensive UV skin exposure get cancers that are not obviously connected with smoking or UV light.
Considerable published data using twin studies show that autism has a heritability of 60-90%. And that’s probably an underestimate, due to changes in ascertainment. The best evidence says that ASD is primarily genetic.
But any hypothesis that claims acetaminophen is the “cause” of autism must address the chronological paradox of my post.
As for the increase in autism diagnoses in the past 20 years, that is best explained by changes in diagnostic criteria and their application. It can’t be explained by thimerosal in childhood vaccines, since that was discontinued. But maybe it’s the increase in the use of online streaming apps? Or smart phones? Certainly, the science is “inconclusive” on those environmental exposures.
In cases like this, I believe the most parsimonious explanation is the best. YMMV.
Mark:
I believe you are right. Supposition and conjecture about Tylenol to swing people to their beliefs. Much of which worked to their favor during the last election.
A quick quack on DuckDuckGo revealed that paracetamol was first sold as a pain killer around 1950, but it was just an optimized metabolite of acetanilide which had been sold as a pain killer since the 1880s. I avoid it since it upsets my stomach unlike aspirin or ibuprofen.
I did another quick quack and found the meta-study that was probably behind this claim. Basically, five out of eight studies found a slight link, about 1.42% versus 1.33%. The research, Ahlqvist in Sweden, says it isn’t a very strong link, and that they couldn’t find a link for mothers who took paracetamol during one pregnancy and not the other. So, Ahlqvist wasn’t really convinced, and that was the biggest study using a Swedish database. One big problem is that paracetamol is available over the counter and all the studies rely on reported usage. It would have been easier to find a link with a prescription drug.
@Kaleberg,
See also my post today, 25 September.
Well, I accidentally ran my own acetaminophen and autism experiment.
My first pregnancy, my ribs separated, and I took quite a bit of Tylenol for quite a period of time and I had a Neurotypical whip- smart daughter who is now 18. My second pregnancy I didn’t take any Tylenol, not one, not a single one, and I have a very sweet but nonverbal autistic 14-year-old son. The only other substantial difference between my two pregnancies as I was under a lot of strain and emotional distress during my second pregnancy and there have been studies done, saying that certain stress chemicals could contribute to autism, but do I sit around blaming myself for this no because at this time we have no actionable answers.
Really all the speculation is just a lot of noise and while I appreciate any mention of autism because spreading awareness is part of the battle ultimately as long as the animals aren’t running the zoo, I’m not expecting things to be logical or remotely productive.
@Shawn,
While environmental influences in terms of expressivity can’t be ruled out, twin-pair studies point to a 60-90% heritability for autism. Since many of those studies were done before the current diagnostic criteria were implemented, that range is likely an underestimate. None of us controls our genetics, so you are blameless.
Shawn:
You just received the best advice Angry Bear could offer you, which came from Joel. Having been with and watch my wife go through 4 different pregnancies. I can sympathize with you even though I am a male. We did lose one.
Thank you for your comment and welcome to Angry Bear.
Bill