Clinical Takeaway
Clinical evidence on cannabinoids in pediatric patients remains heterogeneous, drawing from a mix of interventional trials, observational studies, and surveys across a broad range of medical conditions. The strongest and most consistent data supports the use of pharmaceutical cannabinoids, particularly cannabidiol, in pediatric epilepsy, while evidence for other indications remains limited or preliminary. Safety monitoring and standardized reporting continue to be critical gaps in the pediatric cannabinoid literature.
#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 addresses a critical evidence gap by continuously synthesizing safety and efficacy data on cannabinoid use in pediatric populations, where clinical evidence remains sparse and regulatory guidance is evolving. The systematic compilation of adverse event profiles and reported benefits from plant-derived and pharmaceutical cannabinoids will inform pediatric prescribing practices and help clinicians weigh risks against potential therapeutic gains in conditions where conventional treatments have failed. Given the increasing off-label use of cannabinoids in children, this dynamic evidence synthesis provides a mechanism for real-time clinical decision support as new pediatric safety and efficacy data emerge.
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 an important step toward evidence synthesis on pediatric cannabinoid use, yet clinicians should recognize that the heterogeneity of cannabinoid formulations, dosing regimens, and patient populations studied likely limits direct applicability to individual cases. The inclusion of both plant-derived and pharmaceutical cannabinoids without clear stratification means efficacy and safety signals may be conflated across products with vastly different regulatory oversight and quality assurance standards. Publication bias toward positive outcomes and the relative scarcity of long-term developmental data in children remain significant confounders when interpreting reported benefits. Despite these limitations, this dynamic review framework provides a valuable resource for staying current as evidence accumulates in a rapidly evolving field. Practically speaking, while pediatric cannabinoid use may be warranted for specific, refractory conditions such as severe epilepsy, clinicians should counsel families that evidence for most other pediatric indications remains limited and that consultation with specialists experienced in cannabinoid therapeutics is prudent before initiating treatment.
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