Pregnant women commonly use Tylenol, known in its generic form as acetaminophen, as a pain reliever, as they can experience bodily aches and pains throughout their pregnancy.
However, recent studies indicate this could expose their unborn child to the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Studies from the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the American Journal of Epidemiology suggest prenatal exposure to Tylenol can increase a child’s chances of an autism diagnosis.
Autism is a serious developmental disorder that can affect a person’s social skills, ability to learn in a classroom setting, and sensory processing. This can cause negative effects throughout their life, as they will require medication and tutoring and may struggle with relationships and finding a career.
A defective drug lawyer can help you hold the manufacturer of Tylenol, McNeil Laboratories, accountable for the damages caused to your child by prenatal Tylenol use.
Why Do Pregnant Women Use Tylenol?
Tylenol autism lawsuits filed recently have to do with recent studies that indicate using Tylenol during pregnancy can cause their child to experience autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Tylenol and its generic form, acetaminophen, are commonly used as over-the-counter pain relievers for pregnant women.
Pregnant women can experience aches and pain as their pregnancy progresses, as pregnancy hormones and weight gain can result in lower back pain. Women use over-the-counter pain relievers to help alleviate the pain caused by their pregnancy. According to a report from American Family Physicians, about 65% of pregnant women use acetaminophen products at some point in their pregnancy.
American Journal of Epidemiology Establishes Connection Between Prenatal Tylenol Use and Tylenol
One of the first studies revealing the connection between prenatal Tylenol exposure and autism was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology in 2018. After discovering evidence of neuro-disruptive properties in acetaminophen products, they sought to determine whether these products could affect children when pregnant mothers used them.
After investigating data from 132,738 mother-child pairs, they discovered that children exposed prenatally to acetaminophen products consistently have a 20-30% chance of experiencing a neurodevelopmental disorder.
They suggest these products can interfere with endogenous hormones and how the fetus develops during pregnancy, leading to neuronal oxidative stress that can cause autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
What Does the National Institute of Health Study Suggest About Prenatal Tylenol Use Causing Autism?
Another study that discovered prenatal exposure to Tylenol and other acetaminophen products can result in an increased risk of an autism diagnosis came from the National Institute of Health (NIH) in 2019. NIH researchers analyzed data from the Boston Birth Cohort, which studied factors that can influence pregnancy and child development.
They studied data collected from umbilical cord blood samples of 996 births. They found that around 30% of children were diagnosed with autism or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by around age nine when exposed prenatally to Tylenol. An active ingredient in Tylenol is an endocrine disruptor, which can explain why the product can cause a developmental disorder like autism.
How Can Autism Affect a Person Throughout Their Life?
Autism can affect the way a person behaves, communicates, and learns. How autism can affect a person depends on the severity of their condition, as some people can hold conversations and not experience many behavioral complications. However, others may not be so lucky and have difficulty establishing social connections, paying attention, and learning.
Those living with autism can struggle with repetitive behavior, meaning they can repeat words and phrases and wish to continue doing things they’ve already done.
They can also experience mood swings and get upset by minor changes in their surroundings. Issues with sensory overload, verbal communication, and emotion control can make it more difficult for them to develop relationships, learn at a high level, and hold prominent career positions.
Can People With Autism from Prenatal Tylenol Use File Lawsuits?
Parents whose children are diagnosed with autism because of prenatal Tylenol exposure can file a Tylenol autism lawsuit. McNeil Laboratories, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary that is the manufacturer of Tylenol, failed to warn consumers about the dangers associated with their product. Nothing on the warning label cautioned users about Tylenol’s potential for causing autism, which is why many people have filed product liability lawsuits to hold them accountable for damages.
Those diagnosed with autism can experience significant damages like medical bills, lost earning potential, and pain and suffering. People living with Tylenol autism can file lawsuits to attempt to recover compensation for their damages. Over 100 Tylenol autism lawsuits are consolidated into a multi-district litigation (MDL) in the Southern District of New York before Judge Denise L. Cote.
Should You Hire a Defective Drug Lawyer to Help With Your Tylenol Autism Lawsuit?
A defective drug lawyer can help a Tylenol autism victim with the process of their lawsuit. There are many steps to take to recover compensation for damages, including filing a Tylenol autism lawsuit, filling out a plaintiff fact sheet, and completing other necessary paperwork. A Tylenol autism victim may make a mistake when handling this alone, so they should hire a defective drug lawyer to help with the process.
With the help of a defective drug lawyer, a Tylenol autism victim can be put in a better position to join the MDL and recover fair compensatory damages. They can help determine the value of their lawsuit, gather evidence, pool resources with other plaintiffs, and keep you up-to-date on the MDL’s progress.
Contact The Russo Firm for Help With Your Tylenol Autism Lawsuit
The defective drug lawyers at The Russo Firm have product liability lawsuit experience that can help you as you file a Tylenol autism lawsuit. We understand how autism can cause pain and suffering, affect their ability to hold work and affect their ability to form relationships.
Our defective drug lawyers wish to provide support as you look to join the Tylenol autism MDL and ensure you recover fair compensatory damages from a global settlement. Contact us for a free Tylenol autism consultation today at (561) 270-0913 or leave a message on our online contact page.
