March of Dimes Statement on Acetaminophen and Perinatal Vaccines
Statement from Dr. Michael Warren, Chief Medical and Health Officer, March of Dimes:
"When families are going through pregnancy, or navigating life with a new baby, they have many questions. Access to accurate, science-based information to answer those questions can help ensure that every mom is healthy and every baby gets the best possible start. The United States is among the most dangerous developed countries for giving birth. Now, more than ever, families need advice they can trust.
March of Dimes supports ongoing, science-based research into the causes of autism, which affects millions of families across the US. Recent questions have been raised about a possible association between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and autism. The evidence does not establish that acetaminophen causes autism. Autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions arise from many complex factors, making it difficult to point to a single cause.
March of Dimes aligns with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), which recognize acetaminophen as one of the safest and most effective options for managing pain and fever during pregnancy when taken as directed by a healthcare provider. Fever during pregnancy can carry significant risks for both mom and baby.
We also reaffirm our longstanding support for vaccines as the first line of defense against preventable diseases. In particular, vaccination during pregnancy and in the newborn period improves outcomes for moms and babies. For example, public health and clinical professionals have long recommended that newborns receive the Hepatitis B vaccine. Hepatitis B is a serious and potentially life-threatening infection that can be passed from mother to baby during childbirth or through other exposures in the first few months of life, which is why the vaccine is recommended within the first 24 hours of life by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
March of Dimes also supports the strong recommendation by ACOG and SMFM that pregnant women receive the COVID-19 vaccine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pregnant women who become infected with COVID-19 are at increased risk for hospitalization, admission to intensive care, and even death. We also support the recommendation by AAP that infants and young children be vaccinated against COVID-19, given their risk for severe illness.
We encourage families to consult with their trusted healthcare providers when making decisions about medication use and vaccination. March of Dimes will continue to monitor federal announcements and guidance from professional medical organizations to ensure that families have accurate, evidence-based information to support healthy outcomes for moms and babies. For more information on medications or vaccines for pregnant women and babies, please visit marchofdimes.org."
Contact: Sarah Smith
Email: [email protected]