Clinical Takeaway
Cannabinoids have been studied across a range of pediatric medical conditions, with the current evidence base drawing from hundreds of studies including clinical trials and observational reports. The strongest and most consistent data support the use of pharmaceutical cannabinoids, particularly cannabidiol, for certain treatment-resistant childhood epilepsy syndromes. Safety and efficacy findings vary widely depending on the condition, cannabinoid formulation, and study design, and ongoing evidence synthesis is needed to guide clinical decision-making in this population.
#2 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 provides clinicians with continuously updated evidence on cannabinoid safety and efficacy in pediatric populations, addressing a critical knowledge gap given the increasing off-label use of cannabis in children with limited robust data. The systematic mapping of plant-derived and pharmaceutical cannabinoid interventions across medical conditions enables evidence-based prescribing decisions in a pediatric population where clinical guidance remains sparse and regulatory pathways are evolving. By establishing a living framework that captures emerging evidence in real-time, this review supports the translation of new cannabinoid research into pediatric clinical practice while identifying priority areas where high-quality trials are needed.
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 valuable resource for tracking the evolving evidence on cannabinoid use in pediatric populations, though the field remains characterized by considerable heterogeneity in study designs, cannabinoid formulations, dosing regimens, and outcome measures that limit definitive conclusions about safety and efficacy for specific conditions. The review’s inclusion of both plant-derived and pharmaceutical cannabinoids reflects clinical reality but introduces additional complexity in interpreting results, as product composition, standardization, and delivery methods vary substantially across studies. Notably, long-term developmental effects remain understudied in children, and publication bias toward positive outcomes in case reports and small series may inflate perceived benefit relative to available controlled evidence. Until larger, well-designed randomized controlled trials emerge, clinicians should approach pediatric cannabinoid use cautiously, reserving consideration primarily for conditions with established evidence (such as certain seizure disorders) while documenting careful informed consent that acknowledges significant gaps in our understanding of neurobiological safety during critical developmental windows.