During a recent cabinet meeting with President Donald Trump, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. presented a controversial topic that reignited discussions in the medical community and the public sphere. Kennedy claimed that "two studies" suggest a potential link between infant circumcision, the subsequent use of Tylenol (acetaminophen), and a rise in autism diagnoses. The remarks, made on Thursday, did not clarify the specific studies in question.
A 2015 Danish study, tracking over 340,000 boys, indicated that circumcised males were more likely to be diagnosed with autism before age 10. Researchers postulated that early surgical stress or pain could potentially influence neurological development. However, this study has faced criticism, as some argue that the increased medical interactions of circumcised boys might lead to higher detection rates of autism rather than a direct causal relationship.
Adding to the complexity, a smaller 2024 Irish study reported that circumcised boys with autism showed improvements in irritability, sensory sensitivity, and repetitive behaviors compared to their uncircumcised peers. This study also observed reductions in urinary pain and nighttime urgency. Despite these findings, the causal relationship between circumcision and autism remains unconfirmed.
Circumcision practices vary globally, which complicates direct comparisons. In the United States, around 60 percent of boys are circumcised, as reported in a 2023 article titled "The Dangers of Acetaminophen for Neurodevelopment." Some experts estimate that if circumcision did indeed double the risk of autism, it could potentially account for 15–20 percent of U.S. cases. Nonetheless, a definitive causal link has yet to be established.
In the wake of Kennedy's comments, Rabbi Nechemia Markovits, a Brooklyn-based certified mohel with nearly four decades of experience, shared his perspective with the New York Post. He stated that newborns rarely require Tylenol after circumcision, describing the procedure as "quick and well-tolerated." Markovits also emphasized that newborns generally do not need medication, though older children might benefit from Tylenol for temporary soreness.
Kennedy's statements follow President Trump's recent warnings about acetaminophen use during pregnancy. The president advised against the use of Tylenol unless medically necessary, particularly for pregnant women, unless they have a high fever. He also called for updated FDA labeling on the medication.
Acetaminophen has been a widely used medication for decades, known for its pain-relieving and fever-reducing properties. Some studies suggest that prenatal or early-life exposure to the drug may impact neurodevelopment, though causation remains unproven. The FDA is currently reviewing emerging evidence and may revise its labeling guidance accordingly.
Legal scrutiny regarding the safety of Tylenol has intensified, with Reuters reporting that hundreds of lawsuits alleging prenatal use caused autism or ADHD have been dismissed due to insufficient evidence. However, some law firms continue to pursue state-level cases.
According to CDC data cited by the Post, autism diagnoses have surged by approximately 400 percent since 2000, with one in 31 U.S. children currently affected. Experts largely attribute this increase to broader screening and heightened awareness, rather than environmental causes.
The recent remarks by Kennedy have prompted a renewed examination of early childhood medication and neurological development by researchers, regulators, and courts, as they sift through decades of data on widely used medications.
