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News
A new study of over 2,700 boys published in JAMA Pediatrics found no association between circumcision and autism — directly countering claims made by HHS Secretary RFK Jr. in 2025. Fewer than 5% of circumcised boys even received acetaminophen post-procedure, ruling it out as a risk factor. Families considering circumcision can take comfort in these findings.
A large study published in JAMA Pediatrics is pushing back on a controversial claim made by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who said in October 2025 that circumcision doubles the risk of autism — likely due to acetaminophen given for pain management. Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health analyzed data from the NIH's ECHO cohort, collected between 2003 and 2025, and found no such link.
The study compared autism rates among 2,771 boys — 66% circumcised and 34% not. After adjusting for confounding factors, circumcision showed no significant association with autism diagnosis, elevated social impairment scores, or behavioral concerns. Fewer than 5% of circumcised boys received acetaminophen as newborns, effectively ruling it out as a contributing factor.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Misinformation from high-profile officials can shape parental decisions and fuel health anxiety. This study, drawing on over two decades of real-world data, offers reassurance to families and reinforces that autism's causes remain complex and multifactorial.
