Clinical Takeaway
Cannabinoids have been studied across a range of pediatric medical conditions, with this living systematic review identifying 276 relevant studies from nearly 37,000 citations, spanning interventional trials, observational research, surveys, and qualitative reports. The breadth of study designs reflects an evolving but still maturing evidence base for cannabinoid use in patients under 18. Clinicians should recognize that while data are accumulating, rigorous safety and efficacy conclusions require ongoing evaluation as this living review continues to update.
#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 establishes an evolving evidence base for cannabinoid safety and efficacy in pediatric populations, addressing a critical knowledge gap given the increasing clinical interest in cannabis-based therapeutics for childhood conditions despite limited pediatric-specific data. The continuous update mechanism enables clinicians to access current evidence on adverse effects and therapeutic outcomes as new pediatric studies emerge, supporting evidence-based prescribing decisions in a rapidly evolving treatment domain. By systematically synthesizing safety profiles across pediatric cohorts, this review helps clinicians weigh risks and benefits when considering cannabinoid interventions for conditions where conventional therapies have proven inadequate.
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 represents a commendable effort to synthesize the growing body of pediatric cannabinoid literature, but clinicians should interpret the findings with appropriate caution given the heterogeneity of study designs, outcome measures, and patient populations likely included in the analysis. The evidence base for cannabinoids in children remains modest compared to adult populations, with most robust data concentrated in specific indications like severe epilepsy, while safety data—particularly regarding neurodevelopmental effects during critical windows—remain incomplete. Confounders such as variable cannabinoid formulations, dosing protocols, concurrent medications, and underlying disease severity make direct clinical comparisons challenging, and publication bias may skew toward positive outcomes. In practice, cannabinoid use in pediatric patients should remain reserved for well-defined indications with emerging evidence (notably treatment-resistant seizures), discussed transparently with families regarding the evidence gaps, and integrated within a broader treatment plan rather than as monotherapy.