Central New York

Central New​ York Physician Disputes White House Claims Linking Acetaminophen to Autism

Central New York pediatrician Dr. Robert‌ Dracker of⁢ Summerwood Pediatrics has challenged recent assertions ⁢linking acetaminophen use during pregnancy to autism, calling‌ them “political pundits who want to play doctor ​on TV” and “not scientifically-based.” The comments follow a White House declaration tying Tylenol/acetaminophen use to an increased risk​ of ⁣autism and unveiling a new autism action plan.

Dr. Dracker affirmed the safety of acetaminophen for pregnant women, while ‍advising moderation. ⁣”It’s prudent to just ⁢say not to use it⁣ for more than four weeks and not at high dose on a daily basis,” ⁢he stated, recommending consultation with an obstetrician for persistent symptoms.

He emphasized⁣ a critical distinction between association and causation. “There is an association, it’s not ​a causation,” Dr.dracker ‌explained, drawing a parallel to suggest that “breathing can cause autism. Or, that multivitamins‍ that a woman takes during​ her‍ pregnancy⁣ causes autism.” He clarified, “No one has said that​ acetaminophen causes autism. They found that there’s a possible⁣ association, and that needs to be‍ studied to show​ that there is ‍no direct cause of acetaminophen use with ⁤autism in the offspring. That has not been done ⁣yet.”

The ⁣claims are also being viewed with concern‍ by autism advocates.Aley O’Mara, who lives with autism and works with the Center for⁣ Autism Advocacy: Research, Education, and Supports ⁣(CAARES) team at⁢ SUNY Empire State University, stated that such “preventative and curative announcements” aim to ⁤”eliminate autism, and eliminate autistic people, rather ‌of giving us what we actually need, which⁣ are universally-designed supports.” O’Mara added that these announcements “fails to account for the life, the lives that I live as an autistic person, that any autistic person in Central New York, in the U.S., around the world,⁤ is already living.”