Randomized folinic acid trial in autistic children retracted after data and analysis cannot be replicated
Feb 23rd 2026
European Journal of Pediatrics has retracted a 2024 randomized double blind placebo controlled trial on oral folinic acid for autism after independent reviewers and PubPeer raised errors in tables and statistical methods that could not be reproduced from the provided dataset.
- The paper retracted is Efficacy of oral folinic acid supplementation in children with autism spectrum disorder, originally published in 2024 (Eur J Pediatr 183:4827-4835).
- Retraction was issued in 2026 by the Editor after post publication statistical review confirmed errors and failed replication of results.
- Concerns cited include apparent errors in tables 2 and 3 and problems with the statistical analyses.
- Concerns were raised directly to the publisher and via PubPeer before the retraction.
- Authors Prateek Kumar Panda and Indar Kumar Sharawat agreed to the retraction, while four coauthors did not respond to the publisher.
- The journal offered the authors the option to submit a fully revised manuscript for fresh peer review; the Editor said they no longer have confidence in the original results and conclusions.