During a cabinet meeting on Thursday, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made a controversial statement suggesting a possible connection between circumcision and autism, attributing it to the administration of Tylenol to infants post-procedure.
“There are two studies indicating that boys who undergo early circumcision have a doubled autism rate, likely due to the Tylenol given afterward,” Kennedy remarked to President Trump.
Though Kennedy did not cite specific studies, one notable 2015 study from Denmark observed that circumcised males had a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with autism before turning 10 when compared to their non-circumcised counterparts.
According to researchers, it’s plausible that the pain and stress associated with surgical procedures in infancy may heighten the risk for neurodevelopmental, behavioral, or psychological challenges later in life.
Nonetheless, some skeptics have labeled the research as “flawed,” arguing that alternative painful conditions, like urinary tract infections, which are prevalent in young children, should also have been examined.
A potential alternative explanation for the perceived connection is that circumcised boys tend to have more interactions with healthcare professionals, possibly resulting in more frequent diagnoses of autism.
A second, smaller study from Ireland in 2024 reported that circumcised boys with autism showed “significant improvements” in irritability, sensory issues, and persistent behaviors compared to those without the procedure.
Additionally, it was noted that urinary symptoms such as pain, urgency, and nighttime urges were “significantly reduced.”
Rabbi Nechemia Markovits, a certified mohel and circumcision expert from Brooklyn who has practiced for nearly four decades, stated that he has never found the need to recommend Tylenol post-circumcision.
“The procedure is brief and typically well-tolerated,” he informed The Post.
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“I apply a light gauze with Vaseline to protect the area, and for any mild discomfort, parents may use a gentle topical spray on the first day. I maintain open communication with families through WhatsApp for guidance throughout the healing process until full recovery,” he elaborated.
For older children, Markovits mentioned that a proper dosage of Tylenol can alleviate short-lived soreness.
“I’ve never had newborns use Tylenol,” he emphasized, adding, “My primary goal is to ensure safe, comfortable, and natural healing for each child.”
Kennedy’s comments emerged just two weeks after President Trump claimed that acetaminophen—marketed as Tylenol—was “not advisable” for pregnant women unless they were suffering from a high fever, with concerns about potential autism-related risks for babies.
The over-the-counter medication has been used for pain relief and reducing fever for seven decades, and medical professionals affirm that Tylenol has a strong safety record.
Trump urged mothers to endure any pain and called for updates to Tylenol’s label to warn against possible links between its use during pregnancy and developmental issues in children.
Despite the backlash from women and the medical community following Trump’s remarks, he reiterated his stance after Kennedy’s surprising claim on Thursday.
“There’s a great deal of evidence, I would say as a non-doctor,” the president stated, noting that he had researched the contentious topic “a long time ago.”
“Just avoid it when possible. Sometimes, you simply have to endure discomfort. I’m providing my perspective as a non-doctor but I rely on common sense,” he concluded.
Since 2000, autism diagnosis rates have surged by 400%, now affecting 1 in 31 children in the United States.
