Outpatient prescriptions of leucovorin for children ages 5-17 increased by 71% in the weeks following a September press conference where Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promoted the vitamin B derivative as a treatment for autism, according to new research.

The FDA subsequently approved leucovorin only for folate deficiency, quietly walking back broader treatment implications. Leucovorin, also known as folinic acid, had limited scientific evidence supporting its use for autism spectrum disorders prior to the announcement.

Pediatric neurodevelopmental specialists reported an immediate surge in parent inquiries following the press conference. "The average parent who maybe wasn't getting the right information said, 'Well, to be good parents, we need to try this,'" said William Graf, a professor of pediatrics and neurology at Connecticut Children's Medical Center.

The prescription increase reflects a pattern of public health messaging influencing treatment demands. Medical professionals had expressed concern about promoting treatments without robust clinical evidence, particularly for conditions affecting children and families seeking therapeutic options.

The FDA's subsequent clarification limited the drug's approved use to folate deficiency, a more narrow indication than what was suggested during the political announcement. This regulatory adjustment came after the initial spike in prescriptions had already occurred across pediatric practices nationwide.