US doctors face anxious Tylenol conversations after Trump's autism announcement

After President Donald Trump told a room full of reporters that taking Tylenol during pregnancy was linked to a "very increased risk" of autism in children, several patients had questions for Dallas Reed, the chief of genetics at Tufts Medical Center in Boston.

"Is this why my child has autism?" Dr Reed said one parent asked her about having taken Tylenol while pregnant.

Dr Reed, an obstetrician herself, said she expects to have many more of these conversations with expectant mothers going forward, to reassure them that research does not show a conclusive link between Tylenol and the disorder.

"Anxiety is at an all-time high during pregnancy," she said.

"I think it's unfortunate that now there's another thing on that list of topics that we need to do a deep dive into with our patients."

Doctors who spoke to the BBC said Trump's remarks could spark unnecessary fear among pregnant patients and put their health at risk, with few other safe options to treat potentially dangerous fevers and pain. Anna Langer, a 42-year old Bay Area resident who is 21 weeks pregnant, said Trump's comments play on pregnant women's anxiety. She said it's "very diminishing for women".