The Link Between Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy and Autism

JAMA Pediatrics is a prestigious, peer-reviewed medical journal focusing on child and adolescent health. Established in 1911, it is the oldest continuously published pediatric journal in the United States and among the oldest globally. Published monthly by the American Medical Association (AMA), the journal serves as a leading source of innovative, clinically relevant research that advances the health and well-being of infants, children, and adolescents[1][3][7]. The journal's mission is to provide state-of-the-art information to researchers, healthcare providers, and policymakers, facilitating evidence-based decision-making in pediatrics. It also functions as an essential forum for discussing critical issues and policies impacting child and adolescent health and healthcare systems worldwide. JAMA Pediatrics employs cutting-edge technology to ensure timely access to its content, reaching a global audience wherever and whenever needed[1][2][3]. Over its long history, JAMA Pediatrics has achieved significant recognition, including a high impact factor of 18 as of 2023, reflecting its influence in pediatric research and clinical practice. The editorial leadership, including Editor Dimitri A. Christakis, MD, MPH, and a team of expert associate and statistical editors, guides the journal's content and quality standards[2][3]. JAMA Pediatrics is part of the broader JAMA Network, a consortium of general and specialty medical journals, enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration and dissemination of research. The journal also supports pediatricians by providing accessible, evidence-based patient education materials, helping counteract misinformation in child health[4]. Its ongoing commitment to excellence and innovation makes JAMA Pediatrics a vital resource for the medical community and those interested in the intersection of healthcare, policy, and technology in pediatrics.

The **American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)** is a leading professional organization dedicated to promoting the optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. Founded in 1930 by 35 pediatricians responding to the need for an independent forum to address children’s unique healthcare needs, the AAP has grown to approximately 67,000 members across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and beyond, including pediatricians, medical subspecialists, and surgical specialists[1][3][4]. The AAP’s mission centers on supporting its members professionally while advocating for children’s health through evidence-based policies, education, and research. It provides extensive continuing medical education (CME) programs, scientific meetings, seminars, and a broad range of publications, including the flagship journal *Pediatrics* and the news magazine *AAP News*. Its publishing program is the largest pediatric resource globally, offering over 800 titles for consumers and healthcare professionals[4]. Governed by a board of directors led by an executive committee, the organization operates through various departments and more than 40 specialized committees that address issues such as injury prevention, nutrition, child health financing, and care for children with disabilities[3][5]. The AAP also maintains a network of chapters serving U.S. states and Canadian provinces, allowing it to address local as well as national priorities[5]. Among its key achievements, the AAP has been instrumental in establishing pediatric healthcare standards, advocating for immunization schedules, and issuing timely guidance on public health crises, such as weekly COVID-19 reports tracking pediatric cases and hospitalizations in the U.S.[4]. The organization’s emphasis on preventive care transformed pediatric medicine, shifting the paradigm from treating children as "miniature adults" to recognizing their unique developmental needs[3]. Currently headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, with an office in Washington, D.C., the AAP continues to influence pediatric healthcare policy, education, and practice globally. Its

## Overview The **U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)** is a federal agency within the Department of Health and Human Services responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of a wide range of products, including human and veterinary drugs, biologics, medical devices, food, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation[1][2][3]. Its mission is to advance public health by helping to speed innovations that make medical products safer, more effective, and more affordable, while providing the public with accurate, science-based information about these products[1]. ## Functions and Regulatory Scope The FDA’s regulatory authority is expansive. It oversees the approval, manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vaccines, blood products, medical devices (from simple tongue depressors to complex pacemakers), dietary supplements, most foods (except some meat, poultry, and egg products regulated by the USDA), cosmetics, and tobacco products[1][2][5]. The agency also regulates electronic products that emit radiation, such as X-ray machines and microwave ovens[2][5]. Importantly, the FDA does not regulate the practice of medicine, medical services, product pricing, or health insurance reimbursement[2]. The FDA achieves its goals through a combination of **premarket reviews**, **post-market surveillance**, **facility inspections**, **enforcement actions**, and **public education**[3][4]. It maintains several adverse event reporting systems—such as MedWatch and VAERS—to monitor product safety after they reach the market[4]. The agency also plays a key role in the nation’s counterterrorism efforts by ensuring food supply security and fostering the development of medical countermeasures[1]. ## History and Key Achievements Established in 1906 with the passage of the Pure Food and Drugs Act, the FDA’s origins trace back to efforts to combat adulterated and misbranded food and drugs. Its regulatory powers expanded significantly with the