Clinical Takeaway
Cannabinoids have been studied across a range of pediatric medical conditions, with the current evidence base drawing from a mix of clinical trials, observational reports, surveys, and qualitative research. The strongest data supports use in specific epilepsy syndromes, while safety and efficacy findings in other pediatric conditions remain limited and variable. Clinicians should rely on this type of continuously updated review to guide decisions, as the pediatric cannabinoid literature is still actively evolving.
#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 a continuously updated evidence base for cannabinoid safety and efficacy in the pediatric population, addressing a critical gap where clinical use often outpaces rigorous safety data in children. By systematically synthesizing evidence across multiple databases and maintaining real-time updates, this framework enables clinicians to make informed decisions about cannabinoid prescribing in pediatric patients while identifying priority areas requiring additional prospective research. The structured approach to mapping both adverse effects and clinical benefits in children is essential for developing evidence-based guidelines in a therapeutic area where regulatory clarity and robust pediatric safety data remain limited.
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 methodologically rigorous foundation for understanding cannabinoid safety and efficacy in pediatric populations, though clinicians should note that the evidence base remains sparse and heterogeneous, with most studies involving small sample sizes, varied cannabinoid formulations, and inconsistent outcome measures that limit definitive conclusions about specific conditions. The authors’ commitment to continuous updating is valuable given the rapid evolution of cannabis research and changing regulatory landscapes, but the current evidence is strongest for established indications like chemotherapy-induced nausea and certain severe epilepsy syndromes, while many other proposed pediatric uses remain inadequately studied. Critical confounders including publication bias, variable CBD-to-THC ratios, concurrent medications, and the challenge of blinding in cannabis research mean that apparent benefits should be interpreted cautiously and distinguished from rigorous efficacy. In clinical practice, this review supports a conservative, indication-specific approach where cannabinoids in children are considered primarily for conditions with established benefit and robust safety monitoring, while encouraging shared decision
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