HAMILTON, Canada 

Canada’s national health policy department on Wednesday rebuffed the US president's claim linking the use of acetaminophen in pregnancy to autism, saying "there is no conclusive evidence" supporting his assertions.

"Health Canada currently maintains that there is no conclusive evidence that using acetaminophen as directed during pregnancy causes autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders," it said in a statement.

Noting that acetaminophen is widely used as a pain reliever and to reduce fever, the department said: "It has been used safely by millions of Canadians for decades, including during pregnancy and while breastfeeding."

"Acetaminophen is a recommended treatment of pain or fever in pregnancy when used as directed," it added, noting the need to use at the lowest effective dose for short durations as needed.

“Untreated fever and pain in pregnant women can pose risks to the unborn child," it added.

The statement come after US President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that the use of acetaminophen, the active ingredient in over-the-counter pain reliever Tylenol, during pregnancy greatly increases the likelihood that a child will develop autism.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now slated to notify physicians that the use of acetaminophen "can be associated with a very increased risk of autism," Trump told reporters at the White House.

Tylenol is widely considered the only safe medicine to treat fevers in pregnant women, a fact acknowledged by the president.

Trump’s claim was poorly received by public health advocates, with critics linking it to health officials appointed by Trump making recommendations at odds with established science.