There is no proven link between paracetamol and autism, and vaccines do not cause this disorder, contrary to what the Trump administration suggests, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.
US President Donald Trump on Monday strongly advised pregnant women against taking paracetamol, linking it to a high risk of autism in children despite contrary advice from doctors, before casting unfounded discredit on vaccines.
"Some observational studies have suggested a possible association between prenatal exposure to paracetamol and autism, but the evidence remains inconsistent," said WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic, when asked about the US president's remarks during a regular press briefing.
This type of study, which is based on observations and not on clinical trials, is often the only way to study the safety of a drug on pregnant women, explains the WHO on its website.
"Several studies have not established any such relationship," said the WHO spokesperson, calling for "caution before concluding that there is a causal link" between paracetamol and autism.
Present in Doliprane, Dafalgan or Tylenol (in the United States or Canada), paracetamol, or acetaminophen, is recommended for pregnant women against pain or fever, other drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen being contraindicated, especially at the end of pregnancy.
– “No proof” –
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the UK's medicines regulator, the MHRA, have reaffirmed in statements that paracetamol can be used by pregnant women.
"Our opinion is based on a rigorous assessment of the available scientific data and we have found no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy can cause autism in the child," said Steffen Thirstrup, the European agency's chief physician.
Alison Cave, head of medicines safety at the MHRA, confirmed: "There is no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children."
The WHO spokesperson refuted Donald Trump's remarks, stating: "Vaccines save lives, we know that. Vaccines do not cause autism."
"They have saved countless lives. This is something that science has proven and it shouldn't really be questioned," he added, calling on leaders to follow the recommendations of health authorities.
– Improved diagnostics –
"Science is there to provide evidence that guides policies all over the world," insisted Mr. Jasarevic.
The WHO spokesperson explained that "when vaccination schedules are delayed, disrupted or changed without verification of the evidence, the risk of infection increases sharply, not only for the child, but also for the entire community."
Autism, a complex and broad-spectrum disorder, has been studied for decades, but the Trump administration promised earlier this year to reveal in record time the causes of what it calls an "autism epidemic".
While cases of autism have increased in recent decades in the United States, many scientists reject the existence of an epidemic, highlighting improvements in diagnostics.
"Nearly 62 million people worldwide live with autism spectrum disorder and it is clear that as an international community we need to redouble our efforts to understand its causes," said the WHO spokesperson.
Regarding its origin, scientists have shown that genetics plays a significant role. Certain environmental factors have also been highlighted, such as neuroinflammation or the use of certain medications like the anti-epileptic drug Depakine during pregnancy.
English 
French