Efficacy and safety of paediatric medicinal cannabis use: A scoping review. Issue 4 (30th April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pawliuk, Colleen; Chau, Briana; Rassekh, S Rod; McKellar, Terri; Siden, Harold (Hal)
• Is Part Of: Paediatrics & Child Health. Volume 26:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 228
• Page End: 233
• Publication Date: 2020-04-30
• Subjects: Cannabidiol -- Cannabis -- Drug-resistant epilepsy -- Medicinal marijuana -- Scoping review -- Tetrahydrocannabinoid; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Children -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1093/pch/pxaa031
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1205-7088

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: The use of medicinal cannabis in the paediatric age group is increasing despite the lack of evidence for its efficacy or safety. Objective: To map the available evidence on the efficacy and safety of medicinal cannabis in children and adolescents. Methods: We conducted a scoping review and searched six electronic databases and grey literature. A study was eligible for inclusion when it investigated the efficacy or safety of medicinal cannabis for any condition, more than half of the participants were 0 to 18 years old, and had any study design except single case reports. Results: We included 36 studies in our final analysis, 32 of which investigated the efficacy or safety of cannabis in treatment-resistant epilepsy. The remaining 4 studies examined patients with cancer, dysautonomia, Epidermolysis Bullosa, and motor disorders. Conclusions: There is a lack of evidence on the efficacy and safety of medicinal cannabis in most paediatric conditions.