Fraud Detection Report: "Study on Vitamin K1 Prevention of Neonatal Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding"

Academic fraud report · Geng Detector

Summary

This Chinese-language fraud-detection report alleges serious data fabrication and methodological misconduct in a 2026 paper by Zhou Jieru published in "中外医学研究杂志" (DOI: 10.12417/2811-051X.26.04.094). The verdict is "实锤" (confirmed fraud). Four major concerns are raised. (a) Table 3 thrombin time values across three time points show perfectly parallel decrements (0.10 then 0.07) in both groups, suggesting fabricated spreadsheet data rather than biological measurements. (b) Table 4 reports χ²=3.042 with P=0.041 for a 2×2 table (0/73 vs 3/73), but at df=1 the stated chi-square actually corresponds to P≈0.081, rendering the result non-significant and inconsistent with the authors' claims. (c) The study claims multi-center design over 36 months (2023–2025) yielding only 146 neonates, an implausibly low recruitment rate. (d) Comparison design is asymmetric (single injection vs daily oral drops of an unspecified branded product "健敏星"), with promotional language and a potentially predatory journal (non-standard DOI prefix 2811-051X, journal name does not match the legitimate CN-registered 《中外医学研究》). Image-based checks were not applicable. Confidence is high for findings (a), (b), and (d); finding (c) is suggestive.

Verdict

Confirmed (实锤) — Multiple serious integrity issues identified, including fabricated numerical data, inconsistent statistical reporting, and likely predatory-journal / promotional content.

Key findings

Table 3 TT values exhibit perfectly parallel, near-arithmetic differences across time points in both arms (–0.10 then –0.07), inconsistent with natural biological variability.
Table 4 reports χ²=3.042 with P=0.041 for a 2×2 contingency table (0/73 vs 3/73); at df=1 the stated χ² implies P≈0.081, meaning the claimed result is not significant and the numbers as printed are mutually inconsistent.
Claims of a multi-center, 36-month study (Jan 2023–Dec 2025) producing only 146 neonates is implausibly low per-site per-month; recruitment description appears inflated or fabricated.
Asymmetric comparator (single IM injection of vitamin K1 vs daily oral drops of an unspecified regimen of a branded product, "健敏星") without defined dosing duration; conclusions overtly promotional ("推广前景大").
Journal legitimacy is questionable: title "中外医学研究杂志" does not match the legitimate CN-registered 《中外医学研究》(CN 23-1570/R); DOI prefix 2811-051X is non-standard.
Authors state Fisher's exact test should be used when expected frequency <5, yet Table 4 uses a chi-square test with questionable values.

Evidence highlights

Observed TT (observation): 16.25 (1d) → 16.15 (7d) → 16.08 (14d). Δ₁₋₂ = –0.10; Δ₂₋₃ = –0.07.
Observed TT (control): 16.32 (1d) → 16.22 (7d) → 16.15 (14d). Δ₁₋₂ = –0.10; Δ₂₋₃ = –0.07.
VKDB incidence: observation 0/73; control 3/73 (4.11%). Reported χ²=3.042, P=0.041. Computed P for χ²=3.042 at df=1 ≈ 0.081 (not significant at α=0.05).
Study period: Jan 2023–Dec 2025 (≈36 months); total N=146 across multiple hospitals.
DOI: 10.12417/2811-051X.26.04.094.

Notes

Image duplication and splicing checks (Western blot / microscopy) were not performed because no figures were available in the provided PDF; this is a limitation, not an exoneration.
Whether the data were intentionally fabricated versus derived from a synthetic generator cannot be definitively proven from text alone; the pattern is highly suggestive.
The promotional tone in the Conclusion section ("日常居家即可补充…推广前景大") is unusual for a peer-reviewed clinical paper and supports the soft-advertorial concern.
The journal-name mismatch and atypical DOI prefix warrant independent verification via CNKI / ISSN / DOI registry.
All findings should be confirmed by the authors' institution, the journal editor, and any relevant integrity body before formal sanctions.