The medical community’s response to Donald Trump’s announcement linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism has been largely critical.
Separately, several patients had questions for the chief of genetics and an OBGYN at Tufts Medical Center.
Dr Reed was of the view that many more of these conversations have been arising with expecting mothers to reassure them that research does not show a causal link between Tylenol and the disorder.
In a conversation with BBC, doctors said that Trump's remarks could spark unnecessary fear among pregnant patients, and safer options need to be developed that could treat potentially dangerous fevers.
The obstetricians and Dr Reed have recommended continuing acetaminophen, the main ingredient in Tylenol, for the pregnant ladies, as they say research does not support the claim that the medication is linked to autism.
Researchers worldwide said that there is no single reason for autism, but that it is a complex condition caused by a host of genetic and non-genetic factors.
Acetaminophen is the main ingredient in the brand Tylenol, known as paracetamol in the rest of the world. It is recommended for pregnant women as it is one of the only pain relievers available, since others like ibuprofen have been linked to congenital disabilities and other unfavorable results.
During a press conference held on Monday alongside Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.,Trump claimed that acetaminophen caused autism and told women to “fight like hell” and advised them not to consume it.
In this connection, an economist at Brown University said that she received an effusion of messages from mothers who were panicked because they took acetaminophen during pregnancy and were now looking for signs of autism in their children.
Doctors are apprehensive about the recent advice to pregnant women to “tough it out” rather than take Tylenol when in pain.
The president advised pregnant women to take the medication only in case of experiencing severe fever.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a notice to physicians, stating that the causal relationship between Tylenol and autism has yet to be established and that acetaminophen is one of the only safe fever relievers for pregnant women.
Nonetheless, doctors are eager to welcome the chance to reassure patients about the medication and walk them through the science, and they believe that more time is needed to banish myths about Tylenol and discuss important health issues.