This activity is part of the Frankly Speaking with Dr. Frank Domino podcast series.

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0.25 CME Credit

Autism and Acetaminophen—Separating Fact from Misinformation - Frankly Speaking Ep 452Guest: Susan Feeney, DNP, FNP-BC, NP-C
Music Credit: Matthew Bugos

The healthcare landscape is evolving rapidly, and clinicians are navigating conflicting guidance on established, evidence-based recommendations. Recent news suggest acetaminophen use during pregnancy causes autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is not the consensus of medical experts based on available data. When guidance from various sources conflicts with established research, clinicians face challenges in providing evidence-based care. Join us to review the current evidence on acetaminophen and ASD risk.  

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CME/CE Information

0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™

Release Date: 9/29/2025

Expiration Date: 9/29/2027

Topics

Faculty

Learning Objectives

  • Discuss the current scientific evidence examining autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and potential etiologies 
  • Review recent information from the HHS and CDC about ASD and etiologies 
  • Develop strategies for evaluating evidence to ensure accurate and reliable information in your practice

References and Resources

  • Ahlqvist VH, Sjöqvist H, Dalman C, et al. Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy and Children’s Risk of Autism, ADHD, and Intellectual Disability. JAMA. 2024;331(14):1205–1214. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.3172
  • Damkier, P., Gram, E. B., Ceulemans, M., Panchaud, A., Cleary, B., Chambers, C., Weber-Schoendorfer, C., Kennedy, D., Hodson, K., Grant, K. S., Diav-Citrin, O., Običan, S. G., Shechtman, S., & Alwan, S. (2025). Acetaminophen in Pregnancy and Attention-Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Obstetrics and gynecology, 145(2), 168–176. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000005802
  • Ji Y, Azuine RE, Zhang Y, et al. Association of Cord Plasma Biomarkers of In Utero Acetaminophen Exposure With Risk of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Childhood. JAMA Psychiatry. 2020;77(2):180–189. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.3259
  • Hirota T, King BH.  Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review. JAMA. 2023;329(2):157–168. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.23661
  • Liu, X., Zou, M., Sun, C., Wu, L., & Chen, W. X. (2022). Prenatal Folic Acid Supplements and Offspring's Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-analysis and Meta-regression. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 52(2), 522–539. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-04951-8
  • DSM-5-TR: Neurocognitive Disorders Supplement; October 2022. https://psychiatryonline.org/pb-assets/dsm/update/DSM-5-TR_Neurocognitive-Disorders-Supplement_2022_APA_Publishing.pdf
  • https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/09/06/nx-s1-5532143/hhs-responds-to-report-about-autism-and-acetaminophen 

Faculty

Frank J. Domino, MD

Professor, Family Medicine and Community Health,
University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA

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Susan Feeney, DNP, FNP, FAANP

Assistant Professor, Family Nurse Practitioner Program Coordinator, Graduate School of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA

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Disclosures

Frank J. Domino, MD: Has disclosed no relevant financial relationships. 

Susan Feeney, DNP, FNP-BC, NP-C: Has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

Non-faculty contributors involved in the planning, development, editing, and review of the content have disclosed no relevant financial relationships. 

CME/CE Information

AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™

Accreditation Statement

Pri-Med Institute is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. 

Designation Statement

Pri-Med Institute designates this enduring material for a maximum of 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Instructions for Obtaining Credit

For APRNs and PAs, AANPCB and NCCPA accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ as the number of hours of participation (AANPCB) or as Category 1 CME credits (NCCPA).

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Autism and Acetaminophen—Separating Fact from Misinformation - Frankly Speaking Ep 452

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