When federal health officials publicly endorsed leucovorin as an autism treatment in September 2025, they set in motion a cascade that reveals how swiftly institutional authority can reshape medical practice — even in the absence of evidence. Within days, pediatric prescriptions surged across the country, not because the science had changed, but because the government had spoken. The episode raises an enduring question about the weight of public trust: when those entrusted with protecting health speak prematurely, who bears the cost of that miscalculation?
Federal autism claims sparked 46% spike in unproven leucovorin use for children
Children with autism may be exposed to unproven treatments with unknown long-term safety profiles, while cancer patients face reduced access to leucovorin due to supply shortages.