Wellness Unmasked Weekly Rundown: Tylenol, Pregnancy Risks, and COVID-19’s Impact on Child Development

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Wellness Unmasked Weekly Rundown: Tylenol, Pregnancy Risks, and COVID-19’s Impact on Child Development
Host: Dr. Nicole Saphier
Release Date: October 31, 2025
Duration of Main Content: 03:02–08:17

---

Overview

This episode of Wellness Unmasked with Dr. Nicole Saphier dives into two major health stories at the intersection of medicine, parenting, and politics. First, Dr. Saphier addresses recent controversial statements from President Trump regarding Tylenol use in children and pregnancy, questioning the lack of clarity and transparency behind these assertions. Second, she unpacks groundbreaking new research on the potential effects of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy on the neurodevelopment of children, particularly regarding autism risk.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Parental Concerns about Tylenol and Transparency in Public Health (03:02–05:25)

• Dr. Saphier's Personal Experience
  She shares a recent moment as a mother when her school-aged child was sick with a low-grade fever. Dr. Saphier explains that she typically doesn't medicate low fevers, considering them a part of the body's natural immune response, but admits to worrying at night about high fevers.

• Established Practice with Fever
  For high fevers, she describes the common practice of alternating Tylenol and Motrin to manage symptoms in her children.

• Statements from President Trump
  Dr. Saphier highlights President Trump’s repeated public comments cautioning against the use of Tylenol in both pregnant women and children, referencing possible risks to fetal and child development.

  "President Trump doesn't just make things up out of thin air. Someone obviously told him something and that person had to have been referencing some sort of data."
  — Dr. Nicole Saphier (04:15)

• Demand for Data & Transparency
  She expresses deep frustration at the lack of transparency behind these warnings:

  "I think it is really irresponsible for this administration to make comments and then not also be wholly transparent about the data that backs up those comments."
  — Dr. Nicole Saphier (04:26)

• Clarification of Intent
  Saphier stresses that her critique is directed at the lack of information, not the president himself, emphasizing her consistent demand for transparent communication in public health across administrations.

  "I'm actually more frustrated with the people who are feeding him information because they're keeping that from the American public."
  — Dr. Nicole Saphier (04:51)

2. New Research: COVID-19 in Pregnancy and Child Neurodevelopment (05:26–08:06)

• Massachusetts General Hospital Study
  Dr. Saphier spotlights a significant study from Boston, examining over 18,000 pregnancies during the early COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020–May 2021) to assess the impact of maternal COVID infection.

• Key Findings

  • Pregnant women who contracted COVID-19 had a 1.3 times higher risk of their child developing a neurodevelopmental disorder, such as autism, compared to women without infection.

  • The risk was even more pronounced in male children, corroborating other studies suggesting increased male brain sensitivity to immunological changes during gestation.

    "Males were more likely to be diagnosed with autism. This is something that we have seen in many studies, and what it is concluded is that the male developing brain is more sensitive to immunological changes in the mother as the baby is developing in utero."
    — Dr. Nicole Saphier (06:06)

  • Infections occurring later in pregnancy (second and third trimesters) were strongly linked to higher risk.

    "The later on in the pregnancy that the mother is infected, the higher likelihood that the brain and other parts of the body may be affected."
    — Dr. Nicole Saphier (06:42)

• Implications for Pregnant Women
  While COVID-19 might only cause cold- or flu-like symptoms in most, Saphier cautions that for pregnant women, infection may have long-term neurodevelopmental ramifications for the child.

  "...in pregnant women it can be detrimental to their children, so it should not be taken lightly."
  — Dr. Nicole Saphier (07:22)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trust and Public Health Communication:

  "While I demanded transparency in the administration when President Biden was in the White House, I'll continue to do so when President Trump is in the White House and beyond, because that's just who I am."
  (05:01)

• On Motherhood and Medical Training:

  "As a mother, as a physician and for all three of my children, I've always alternated...Tylenol and a Motrin-like product when they have high fever."
  (03:45)

---

Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Topic | |-------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:02–03:45 | Dr. Saphier’s personal story about childhood fever routines | | 03:45–05:25 | Trump’s Tylenol statements, frustration over lack of transparency | | 05:26–06:42 | Massachusetts General study: COVID-19 in pregnancy & neurodevelopment| | 06:43–07:22 | Sex differences: Greater risk for boys; infection timing matters | | 07:23–08:06 | Broader implications, caution for pregnant women, summary |

---

Tone and Language

Dr. Saphier speaks in a warm, direct, and slightly exasperated tone—especially around the need for public health transparency. Her language mixes medical expertise with the relatable experience of being a parent, making scientific findings accessible while urging caution and critical thinking.

---

Summary for New Listeners

In this episode, Dr. Nicole Saphier clearly lays out why transparency around health advice from public officials matters, especially regarding commonly used medications like Tylenol. She expresses concern and seeks evidence behind the administration's recent warnings, not out of political antagonism, but out of a need for clear, evidence-based communication. Dr. Saphier then skillfully transitions to new research on how COVID-19 could impact child neurodevelopment when contracted during pregnancy, explaining the nuanced findings for listeners, especially parents and expecting mothers. Her call to take maternal COVID-19 infection seriously is rooted in science, and her overall message advocates for informed, balanced decision-making.

Transcript

[Kal Penn]

Hey audiobook lovers. I'm Kal Penn.

[Ed Helms]

I'm Ed Helms.

[Kal Penn]

Ed and I are inviting you to join the best sounding book club you've ever heard with our new podcast, Earsay, the Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club.

[Ed Helms]

Each week we sit down with your favorite iHeart podcast hosts and some very special guests to discuss the latest and greatest audiobooks from audible.

[Kal Penn]

Listen to Earsay on America's number one podcast network, iHeart. Follow Earsay and start listening on the free iHeartradio app today.

[Annabe Sofas Advertiser]

There's nothing like sinking into luxury Annabe sofas combine ultimate comfort and design at an affordable price. Annabe has designed the only fully machine washable sofa. From top to bottom. The stain resistant performance fabric slipcovers and cloud like frame duvet can go straight into your wash. Perfect for anyone with kids, pets or anyone who loves an easy to clean spotless sofa. With a modular design and changeable slipcovers, you can customize your sofa to fit any space and sty. Whether you need a single chair, loveseat or a luxuriously large sectional, Anna Bay has you covered. Visit washablesofas.com to upgrade your home. Sofas start at just $699 and right now get early access to Black Friday savings up to 60% off storewide with a 30 day money back guarantee. Shop [e-mail] Add a little to your life. Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Luma Nutrition Advertiser]

Worried about heart health? Listen to this. A study of over 30,000 people found that Nattokinase, an ancient Japanese superfood, can reduce heart attack risk by 25% and stroke risk by 33%. Luma Nutrition has perfected a powerful nattokinase formula made in the USA and third party tested for purity and quality. Ready to start your journey to a healthy heart? You can try nattokinase today for up to 40% off when you visit lumanutrition.com that's L U M a nutrition.com lumanutrition.com veteran owned, proudly made in the USA.

[Caulipower Advertiser]

New school year, new routines and somehow your calendar is already full. When life gets hectic, cauliflower's got your back. We make the food you crave made better for you like thin and crispy cauliflower crust pizzas, all natural chicken tenders and nostalgic pizza snacks. Ready in minutes and something the whole family can agree on. Cauliflower is available in freezer aisles nationwide. Visit eatcolipower.com to find a store near you.

[Propane Advertiser]

The US electric grid is approaching a breaking point. As demand soars from data centers and home energy use, our aging infrastructure can't keep up. And the Department of Energy warns that without action, blackouts could surge 100 fold by 2030. The good news? One solution is already here. Propane. It's American made, stored on site and always ready, powering homes and businesses with cleaner, reliable energy that doesn't depend on the grid or the weather.

[Dr. Nicole Safire]

Literally.

[Propane Advertiser]

Learn [e-mail] welcome to Wellness Unmass.

[Dr. Nicole Safire]

I'm Dr. Nicole Safire and this is your weekly rundown on this gloomy Halloween here in the Northeast. I'm not sure what it's like where you are, but here it's quite gloomy. Something really interesting happened this week, and I use the term interesting lightly. One of my kiddos was homesick. Now, mind you, I don't have small babies. I have school age kids and an older child. But one of my school age kids was homesick and he had a fever. And mind you, low grade fevers I don't treat. Obviously, that is the body's natural way of fighting infection and inflammation. I think it's a good thing. However, as a mother, any moms out there knows we always get a little nervous at nighttime in case that high fever creeps in. Now, as a mother, as a physician and for all three of my children, I've always alternated, you know, a Tylenol and a Motrin like product when they have high fever. That's kind of what we do. All of a sudden I found myself pausing, saying, should I be giving my child Tylenol? And why am I making that pause? Well, we've heard President Trump now in press conferences and also by posting on social media, not once, not twice, but several times, saying not only should pregnant women not take Tylenol because it may affect the developing fetus, but he's also said, moms don't give your kids Tylenol. And the problem that I have with this statement is President Trump doesn't just make things up out of thin air. Someone obviously told him something and that person had to have been referencing some sort of data. I would like to know what is the data that was presented in that meeting that gave President Trump the idea that mothers should not be giving Tylenol to their kids. I think it is really irresponsible for this administration to make comments and then not also be wholly transparent about the data that backs up those comments. President Trump may be right, but we wouldn't know because they haven't shared with us how they came to that conclusion. I found it very frustrating. I decided to post about it on X about my frustrations. And let me tell you, while I had some people applauding and agreeing with my frustrations, the majority of people took my frustration as criticism of the president. And the reality is it's not criticizing the president. It's actually saying I believe him when he says things, therefore I would like to know what was told to him. I'm actually more frustrated with the people who are feeding him information because they're keeping that from the American public. And while I demanded transparency in the administration when President Biden was in the White House, I'll continue to do so when President Trump is in the White House and beyond, because that's just who I am. So I really would like to see out of this administration what is causing these statements to be made by the president and by the HHS secretary. Another interesting thing this week, a big study out of Massachusetts General up in Boston. They looked at 18,000 women who were pregnant during March 2020 to May 2021, remember, early on in the COVID pandemic. And they looked at women who had a COVID infection versus not having a COVID infection. And they found a 1.3 times higher risk of B babies being born and developing a neurodevelopmental disorder like autism when the woman had been infected with COVID 19 during her pregnancy compared to babies born to women who did not have a history of infection. One thing that I found very interesting in this first of all, males were more likely to be diagnosed with autism. This is something that we have seen in many studies. And what it is concluded is that the male developing brain is more sensitive to immunological changes in the mother as the baby is developing in utero. So if a mother gets infected and elicits that immunological response to try and fight that infection, that negatively impacts the developing brain and even more so in the developing male brain. Also, they noted that infections later on in the pregnancy, second trimester, third trimester, were also significantly linked to a higher risk of the child developing a neurodevelopmental disorder. Again, this is something that we have seen historically in the past with other infections. The later on in the pregnancy that the mother is infected, the higher likelihood that the brain and other parts of the body may be infected. So definitely good information, especially as we know Covid continues to circulate. It is now cold flu in Covid season, as I like to call it. And while for the majority of people Covid is it's, you know, can be a cold, it can be the flu, it can be kind of whatever it is for you, but in pregnant women it can be detrimental to their children so it should not be taken lightly. Thanks so much for listening to Wellness Unmask weekly rundown. I'm Dr. Nicole Safire. Happy Halloween. Make sure you listen to the podcast on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts and we'll see you next time.

[Annabe Sofas Advertiser]

Time for a Sofa Upgrade Introducing annabe Sofas where designer style meets budget friendly prices. Every anibe sofa is modular allowing you to rearrange your space effortlessly. Perfect for both small and large spaces. Annabe is the only machine washable sofa inside and out. Say goodbye to stains and messes with liquid and stain resistant fabrics that make cleaning easy. Liquids simply slide right off. Designed for custom comfort, our high resilience foam lets you choose between a sink in feel or a supportive memory foam blend. Plus our pet friendly stain resistant fabrics ensure your sofa stays beautiful for years. Don't compromise quality for price. Visit washablesofas.com to upgrade your living space. Today sofas start at just $699 with no risk returns and a 30 day money back guarantee. Get early access to Black Friday now. The biggest sale of the year can save you up to six 60% off plus free shipping and free returns. Shop now at washablesofas.com offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Kal Penn]

Hey audiobook lovers, I'm Cal Penn.

[Ed Helms]

I'm Ed Helms.

[Kal Penn]

Ed and I are inviting you to join the best sounding book club you've ever heard with our new podcast, Irsay The Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club.

[Ed Helms]

Each week we sit down with your favorite iHeart podcast hosts and some very special guests to discuss the latest and greatest audiobooks from Audible.

[Kal Penn]

Listen to hearsay on America's number one podcast network, iHeart. Follow earsay and start listening on the free iHeartradio app today.

[Caulipower Advertiser]

New school year, new routines and somehow your calendar is already full. When life gets hectic, cauliflower's got your back. We make the food you crave made better for you, like thin and crispy cauliflower crust pizzas, all natural chicken tenders and nostalgic pizza snacks ready in minutes and something the whole family can agree on. Caulipower is available in freezer aisles nationwide. Visit eatcolliepower.com to find a store near you.

[Homes.com Advertiser]

Homes.com knows having the right agent can make or break your home search. That's why they provide home shoppers with an agent directory that gives you a detailed look at each agent's experience, like the number of closed sales in a specific neighborhood, average price range, and more. It lets you easily connect with all the agents in the area you're searching so you can find the right agent with the right experience and ultimately, the right home for you. Homes.com, we've done your homework.

[Greenlight Advertiser]

Did you know that parents rank teaching financial literacy as the toughest life skill? That's where Greenlight comes in the debit card and money app made for families. With Greenlight, you can send money to kids quickly, set up chores, automate allowance, and track spending with real time notifications. Kids learn how to earn, save, and spend responsibly while parents have peace of mind knowing smart money habits are being built with guardrails in place. Try Greenlight Risk Free today at greenlight.com iheart. That's greenlight. Com iheartradio.