Tag:

Birth Defects

Trump Claims ‘No Downside’ to Avoiding Tylenol During Pregnancy – Experts Disagree

by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor September 24, 2025

written by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor

Trump’s Claim About Tylenol and Pregnancy: A Fact Check

Former President Donald Trump recently stated that there’s “no downside” to avoiding Tylenol (acetaminophen) during‌ pregnancy. This claim is demonstrably false, according‌ to⁣ leading medical organizations‍ and extensive research.

Medical professionals overwhelmingly agree that ‌untreated fevers and pain during pregnancy pose notable risks to both mother and⁤ developing baby. the American Collage of Obstetricians and ⁤Gynecologists (ACOG)⁣ issued a statement⁢ in ⁣September 2023, criticizing ⁢the Trump administration’s advice to avoid Tylenol as ⁢a “harmful and confusing message.” ACOG President Steven Fleischman emphasized that acetaminophen is “essential” for managing ⁤conditions ⁤like fever, headaches (a sign of preeclampsia), and pain during pregnancy.

Untreated fever, particularly ‍in the first ⁤trimester, is linked to an‍ increased risk of miscarriage, birth defects⁢ (including neural tube defects, congenital heart defects, and ⁤oral clefts),⁤ and premature birth. ‍Untreated pain can contribute to maternal depression, anxiety, and high‌ blood pressure. These risks are supported by⁢ research dating‌ back over a decade, including a 2014 review in Pediatrics highlighting the potential negative impact of maternal⁣ fever on fetal health. The Centers for ⁤Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also acknowledges ⁢a link between fever during pregnancy and adverse ⁢outcomes,including birth defects.

MotherToBaby, a⁢ nonprofit providing information on medication and ⁢pregnancy, warns that⁤ even a fever-induced increase in body temperature carries risks, including a ‌small chance of birth defects,⁤ and some studies suggest a‍ possible association with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or ⁤autism.

While some studies have explored potential links⁤ between acetaminophen and ⁢neurodevelopmental‍ disorders, medical ‍organizations maintain that the dangers of untreated fever and pain far outweigh these theoretical concerns. Christopher Zahn, ACOG’s chief of clinical practise, stated that avoiding ‍treatment when acetaminophen is medically indicated is “far more perilous than⁢ theoretical concerns ‌based on inconclusive ⁤reviews of conflicting science.”

Kenvue, the parent company ‍of Tylenol, asserts that acetaminophen is “the safest ⁣pain reliever” option⁢ available during pregnancy. they argue ⁣that avoiding it forces pregnant ⁤women to either endure ⁤perhaps harmful conditions or risk using⁢ less safe alternatives.

tylenol‍ itself responded to the recent attention by⁢ reiterating ACOG’s position and ‍emphasizing the importance of consulting a healthcare professional. The company’s⁣ message highlighted that‍ a doctor ⁣is best equipped‍ to‍ advise on medication use based on individual health needs.

Our Ruling:

Trump’s ⁤claim that there’s “no downside” to avoiding Tylenol during pregnancy is ⁤demonstrably false. The risks associated with untreated fevers and pain during ⁢pregnancy⁢ are well-documented and significant. Acetaminophen is considered ⁣a safe and frequently enough⁢ necessary medication for managing these conditions, and avoiding it can pose greater‌ dangers than any theoretical risks associated with the drug itself.

We rate Trump’s statement Pants on ⁣Fire!

September 24, 2025 0 comments

Health

Polish Doctors Convicted in Pregnancy Death Sparks Protests

by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor July 18, 2025

written by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor

Doctors Sentenced in Poland Following Patient’s Death Amidst Strict Abortion Law

Two doctors in Poland have been sentenced to over a year in prison without parole, and a third received a two-year suspended sentence, in connection with the death of a pregnant woman identified as Iza. The woman died from sepsis at 22 weeks of pregnancy, a case that ignited widespread street protests against Poland’s restrictive anti-abortion law. Activists contend that the doctors’ decision to delay an abortion,opting for a “wait and see” approach due to the near-total ban on the procedure,contributed to her death. The charges, filed in 2022, included exposing the patient to the danger of loss of life, with two doctors also facing charges of unintentionally causing her death.

The incident highlights the profound impact of Poland’s stringent abortion legislation,enacted in 1993.This law permits abortions only in cases of rape or incest, when the woman’s life or health is at risk, or in instances of fetal congenital deformities. However, a 2020 ruling by the Constitutional Tribunal, influenced by the country’s conservative ruling party, further restricted abortion access by deeming abortions for congenital defects unconstitutional, even when the fetus is not viable. This ruling also triggered important public demonstrations.

Iza, who left behind a husband and daughter, is considered by activists to be the first fatality resulting from the further tightening of these restrictive abortion measures. In practice, many women are reportedly resorting to obtaining abortion pills from abroad to terminate their pregnancies independently.The convicted doctors have the right to appeal the court’s decision.

July 18, 2025 0 comments

Health

GATE complex discovery sheds light on CMV’s evasion of immune defenses

by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor June 30, 2025

written by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor

New Discovery Could Revolutionize Treatment for Common Birth Defect Cause

Scientists have uncovered a hidden mechanism employed by cytomegalovirus (CMV), a widespread herpes virus. This finding provides fresh insight into preventing birth defects and vascular diseases, opening doors to novel antiviral drug development and possibly helping combat other herpes viruses.

CMV’s Clever Entry Strategy

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the La Jolla Institute for Immunology have made a breakthrough. They’ve identified a unique way CMV, a herpes virus infecting most adults worldwide, infiltrates blood vessel cells. It uses an alternative “key” to evade the body’s immune defenses.

CMV employs a protein called gH to enter cells, similar to other herpes viruses. Unlike its herpes relatives, CMV exchanges gL with a partner, UL116, and recruits UL141. This gH-UL116-UL141 complex, dubbed GATE by the study authors, provides a backdoor into blood vessel lining cells, preventing immune detection.

“If we don’t know what weapons the enemy is using, it is hard to protect against it. We found a missing puzzle piece that represents one possible reason why immunization efforts against CMV have been unsuccessful.”

—Jeremy Kamil, Ph.D., Senior Author, Associate Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at Pitt

Implications and Potential Therapies

Congenital CMV infection affects around one in 200 babies in the United States. Of those infected, about 20% suffer birth defects like hearing loss, and may face long-term health problems. Globally, congenital CMV is the leading infectious cause of birth defects (CDC, 2024).

The GATE complex may be a new target for CMV vaccines and other herpes viruses. Previous efforts at producing a CMV vaccine failed before the identification of GATE, according to the researchers. Targeting GATE could improve the prospects of combating CMV infections, potentially clearing this persistent infection from our bodies.

Next Steps

The collaborative study included researchers such as Michael Norris, Lauren Henderson, Mohammed Siddiquey, Jieyun Yin, Kwangsun Yoo, Simon Brunel, Michael Mor, and Erica Ollmann Saphire. This work received support from the National Institutes of Health and ARPA-H.

The research team aims to develop antiviral drugs and vaccines that can block CMV’s entry. These could address the diseases the virus causes in both developing babies and individuals with weakened immune systems.

June 30, 2025 0 comments