Intranasal treatment of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency in children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Nutritional Science
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Traditional intramuscular injections for vitamin B12 deficiency in children are painful and stressful.
• Intranasal vitamin B12 administration has shown efficacy in adults but lacks data in pediatric populations.
• Current treatment methods present challenges in terms of patient compliance and burden.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intranasal hydroxocobalamin administration for treating vitamin B12 deficiency in children.
• To explore a less burdensome alternative to intramuscular injections for pediatric vitamin B12 repletion.
• To gather preliminary data on intranasal vitamin B12 treatment in children.

Main Methods:

• A case series involving ten children diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Treatment administered via intranasal spray containing hydroxocobalamin.
• Monitoring of vitamin B12 concentrations before and after treatment.

Main Results:

• Successful treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency in all ten pediatric cases.
• Significant increase in mean vitamin B12 levels, from 126.3 pmol/l to 1914.7 pmol/l.
• No adverse side effects were reported during the study period.

Conclusions:

• Intranasal vitamin B12 appears to be a safe and effective alternative to intramuscular injections for children.
• This administration route may improve patient compliance and reduce the burden associated with treatment.
• Further systematic evaluation is warranted to establish optimal dosage and frequency for intranasal vitamin B12 therapy in children.