The claim that children circumcised early have double the rate of autism is false because multiple credible fact-checks and expert analyses found no reliable scientific evidence supporting this association, and the cited studies do not substantiate such a link.
False
Children who are circumcised early have double the rate of autism.
RFK Jr. suggests circumcision is linked to autism. Here's what experts say. - CBS News
Source: cbsnews.com
At a glance
Verified July 28, 2026Key Evidence
FactCheck.org and Snopes both concluded that no credible studies support the claim of doubled autism rates linked to early circumcision.
Experts cited by CBS News and People.com reject the claim as unsubstantiated by scientific evidence.
Large population health data from Denmark show no increased autism risk in circumcised children.
The reporting
What the Evidence Shows
The claim originated from statements by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Donald Trump, who asserted during a 2025 cabinet meeting that two studies show children circumcised early have double the rate of autism, allegedly linked to Tylenol use.
However, thorough reviews by multiple reputable sources including FactCheck.org, Snopes, CBS News, People.com, and Public Good News found no credible scientific studies that support this claim. Experts and fact-checkers highlighted that the referenced studies do not demonstrate any causal or correlative relationship between early circumcision and autism rates.
Furthermore, large-scale health data analyses, such as those from Danish health records, show no increased autism risk associated with circumcision. The claim has been widely characterized as unproven and inaccurate by medical experts and independent fact-checkers. Thus, the assertion lacks empirical support and is considered misleading.
Primary trail
Verified Sources10
Open source