The potential of microneedle platforms in addressing pediatric drug delivery challenges: perspectives of healthcare professionals and parents
Abstract Background Pediatric drug delivery faces significant challenges owing to children’s unique physiology and limitations of conventional dosage forms. There is a growing need for age-appropriate, safe, and effective alternatives. Objectives This study aimed to assess the challenges in selectin...
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| Format: | Article |
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SpringerOpen
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Beni-Suef University Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43088-025-00662-6 |
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| author | Heba Y. Raslan Waleed Faisal Noura H. Abdellah Sara A. Abouelmagd Elsayed A. Ibrahim |
| author_facet | Heba Y. Raslan Waleed Faisal Noura H. Abdellah Sara A. Abouelmagd Elsayed A. Ibrahim |
| author_sort | Heba Y. Raslan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Pediatric drug delivery faces significant challenges owing to children’s unique physiology and limitations of conventional dosage forms. There is a growing need for age-appropriate, safe, and effective alternatives. Objectives This study aimed to assess the challenges in selecting pediatric pharmaceutical dosage forms and to evaluate the potential of microneedles (MNs) as an innovative solution, capturing perspectives of healthcare professionals (HCPs) and parents. Methods Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted: (1) a survey for pediatricians (n = 154) on dosage form challenges, and (2) a survey of HCPs and parents (n = 386) on perceptions of MNs for pediatric drug delivery. Responses were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Results Pediatricians identified key barriers: unsuitable formulations (53%), injection distress (38%), and inadequate strength availability (29%). Cost (59%), therapeutic efficacy (60%), and administration route (53%) dominated prescribing decisions. Anti-infectives (69%) and analgesics (47%) were top candidates for reformulation. Respondents (85%) acknowledged needle phobia as a major issue, and 84% expressed willingness to use MNs, peaking at 93% for children aged 1–3 years. MNs’ perceived advantages included reduced needle phobia, improved compliance in chronic diseases, and self-administration potential. Primary concerns included practicality in emergencies (59%), drug-loading capacity (46%), and dosing accuracy. Conclusions Significant unmet needs persist in pediatric drug delivery. MNs demonstrate strong potential to address core challenges, particularly needle aversion and formulation unsuitability, with high acceptance among stakeholders. Translation requires overcoming barriers in manufacturing scalability, regulatory clarity, and user-centered design. Coordinated efforts in education, targeted formulation development, and policy advocacy are essential for clinical integration. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a283f229dc114261880ea6cff67a0e14 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2314-8543 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Beni-Suef University Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-a283f229dc114261880ea6cff67a0e142025-08-20T03:43:21ZengSpringerOpenBeni-Suef University Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences2314-85432025-07-0114111510.1186/s43088-025-00662-6The potential of microneedle platforms in addressing pediatric drug delivery challenges: perspectives of healthcare professionals and parentsHeba Y. Raslan0Waleed Faisal1Noura H. Abdellah2Sara A. Abouelmagd3Elsayed A. Ibrahim4Institute for Drug Development and Innovation Research, Assiut UniversitySchool of Pharmacy, University College CorkDepartment of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, Badr University in AssiutInstitute for Drug Development and Innovation Research, Assiut UniversityInstitute for Drug Development and Innovation Research, Assiut UniversityAbstract Background Pediatric drug delivery faces significant challenges owing to children’s unique physiology and limitations of conventional dosage forms. There is a growing need for age-appropriate, safe, and effective alternatives. Objectives This study aimed to assess the challenges in selecting pediatric pharmaceutical dosage forms and to evaluate the potential of microneedles (MNs) as an innovative solution, capturing perspectives of healthcare professionals (HCPs) and parents. Methods Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted: (1) a survey for pediatricians (n = 154) on dosage form challenges, and (2) a survey of HCPs and parents (n = 386) on perceptions of MNs for pediatric drug delivery. Responses were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Results Pediatricians identified key barriers: unsuitable formulations (53%), injection distress (38%), and inadequate strength availability (29%). Cost (59%), therapeutic efficacy (60%), and administration route (53%) dominated prescribing decisions. Anti-infectives (69%) and analgesics (47%) were top candidates for reformulation. Respondents (85%) acknowledged needle phobia as a major issue, and 84% expressed willingness to use MNs, peaking at 93% for children aged 1–3 years. MNs’ perceived advantages included reduced needle phobia, improved compliance in chronic diseases, and self-administration potential. Primary concerns included practicality in emergencies (59%), drug-loading capacity (46%), and dosing accuracy. Conclusions Significant unmet needs persist in pediatric drug delivery. MNs demonstrate strong potential to address core challenges, particularly needle aversion and formulation unsuitability, with high acceptance among stakeholders. Translation requires overcoming barriers in manufacturing scalability, regulatory clarity, and user-centered design. Coordinated efforts in education, targeted formulation development, and policy advocacy are essential for clinical integration.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43088-025-00662-6Drug deliveryPediatricsMicroneedlesDosage formsPatient complianceTransdermal patch |
| spellingShingle | Heba Y. Raslan Waleed Faisal Noura H. Abdellah Sara A. Abouelmagd Elsayed A. Ibrahim The potential of microneedle platforms in addressing pediatric drug delivery challenges: perspectives of healthcare professionals and parents Beni-Suef University Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences Drug delivery Pediatrics Microneedles Dosage forms Patient compliance Transdermal patch |
| title | The potential of microneedle platforms in addressing pediatric drug delivery challenges: perspectives of healthcare professionals and parents |
| title_full | The potential of microneedle platforms in addressing pediatric drug delivery challenges: perspectives of healthcare professionals and parents |
| title_fullStr | The potential of microneedle platforms in addressing pediatric drug delivery challenges: perspectives of healthcare professionals and parents |
| title_full_unstemmed | The potential of microneedle platforms in addressing pediatric drug delivery challenges: perspectives of healthcare professionals and parents |
| title_short | The potential of microneedle platforms in addressing pediatric drug delivery challenges: perspectives of healthcare professionals and parents |
| title_sort | potential of microneedle platforms in addressing pediatric drug delivery challenges perspectives of healthcare professionals and parents |
| topic | Drug delivery Pediatrics Microneedles Dosage forms Patient compliance Transdermal patch |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43088-025-00662-6 |
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