Clinical Takeaway
Current evidence on cannabinoids in pediatric patients spans 276 studies across multiple designs, capturing both plant-derived and pharmaceutical formulations used to treat medical conditions in children under 18. The research base includes interventional trials, observational data, and patient or caregiver surveys, providing a broad but still evolving picture of safety and reported benefit. Clinicians should weigh findings carefully, as evidence quality and consistency vary significantly across conditions and cannabinoid types.
#3 Cannabinoids for Medical Purposes in Children: A Living Systematic Review.
Citation: Chhabra Manik et al.. Cannabinoids for Medical Purposes in Children: A Living Systematic Review.. Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992). 2025. PMID: 40437694.
Design: 5 Journal: 0 N: 2 Recency: 2 Pop: 3 Human: 1 Risk: 0
This living systematic review establishes a continuously updated evidence base for cannabinoid safety and efficacy in pediatric populations, addressing a critical knowledge gap where clinical use is expanding faster than rigorous safety data accumulates. By consolidating data across multiple databases from inception through April 2023, the review provides clinicians with current evidence to inform treatment decisions and risk-benefit discussions with families considering cannabinoid therapy for pediatric conditions. The systematic approach enables identification of adverse event patterns and therapeutic outcomes that may guide future regulatory decisions and standardized pediatric dosing protocols for cannabinoid medicines.
Methodological Considerations:
- Small sample — underpowered for subgroup analysis
Abstract: AIM: We developed a living systematic review (LSR) that will continuously map the safety and reported benefit data related to cannabinoid use for medical purposes in children. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to April 2023. Studies involving at least one child 20% studies) in studies enrolling children were somnolence, diarrhoea, vomiting, and decreased appetite. CONCLUSION: These findings will continue to be updated to inform practice and reveal knowledge gaps for future research.
🧬 This living systematic review provides a timely synthesis of cannabinoid safety and efficacy data in pediatric populations, addressing a critical gap given the increasing off-label use of cannabis-based products in children. The authors’ inclusive approach across major databases captures both pharmaceutical cannabinoids and plant-derived products, which is clinically relevant since families often use these interchangeably despite different safety and dosing profiles. However, clinicians should note that the evidence base remains heterogeneous, with most studies involving small sample sizes, variable dosing regimens, and limited long-term follow-up data, particularly concerning neurodevelopmental outcomes during critical brain maturation periods. The absence of robust pediatric pharmacokinetic data and the confounding influence of comorbid conditions and concomitant medications further complicate interpretation for individual patient scenarios. When parents inquire about cannabinoids for pediatric conditions, current practice should emphasize that while cannabinoids show promise for specific indications like treatment-resistant epilepsy, most pediatric uses remain