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Science

Lionel Mandrake

(4,183 posts)

1. Association does not imply causation.

Reply to Wicked Blue (Original post)

Fri Sep 26, 2025, 01:45 PM

Sep 26

Suppose in a study of Ntotal random births, it is found that
N(A) offspring are autistic;
N(T) mothers took Tylenol (aka acetaminophen or paracetamol); and
N(AT) mothers tookTylenol AND had autistic kids.
There is a link, or association, if
N(AT)/Ntotal >> (N(A)/Ntotal ) (N(T)/Ntotal ),
where >> means significantly greater than.
Some studies have shown such a link, but this is not evidence of causation. It is known that a pregnant woman's fever can cause autism and other problems. The association between autism and Tylenol should not come as a big surprise, because when a pregnant woman has a fever she is very likely to take Tylenol.

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Highlight:

Mount Sinai study supports evidence that prenatal acetaminophen use may be linked to increased risk of autism and ADHD [View all] Wicked Blue Aug 14 OP

Association does not imply causation. Lionel Mandrake Sep 26 #1

"Our findings show that higher-quality studies are more likely..." quaint Sep 26 #2