Clinical Takeaway
Cannabinoids have been studied across a range of pediatric medical conditions, with the current evidence base drawing from over 270 studies spanning interventional trials, observational reports, and patient surveys. The data reflect both potential therapeutic benefit and safety considerations that vary by condition, cannabinoid type, and dosing context. Clinicians should interpret findings cautiously, as study designs and populations differ substantially across the 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 provides clinicians with a continuously updated evidence synthesis on cannabinoid safety and efficacy in pediatric populations, addressing a critical knowledge gap as off-label cannabinoid use increases in children without robust clinical guidance. The systematic methodology and real-time updates enable practitioners to access current evidence on which pediatric conditions may benefit from cannabinoids while identifying safety concerns that should inform risk-benefit counseling with families. This resource is particularly relevant given the paucity of high-quality pediatric cannabinoid trials and the need for evidence-based prescribing standards in this vulnerable population.
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 resource for tracking cannabinoid evidence in pediatric populations, an area where quality data remains sparse and clinical decision-making often proceeds with considerable uncertainty. The authors’ inclusion of both plant-derived and pharmaceutical cannabinoids alongside diverse medical conditions reflects real-world complexity, though this breadth means readers must carefully examine subgroup analyses and effect heterogeneity rather than seeking simple across-the-board conclusions. Important caveats include the predominance of observational studies and case reports in pediatric cannabinoid literature, which limits causal inference, alongside variation in cannabinoid formulations, dosing protocols, and outcome measurement that complicates direct comparison across studies. The living review design is valuable given the rapidly evolving regulatory and research landscape, but clinicians should recognize that continuous updates do not necessarily mean stronger evidence—only more current mapping of what evidence exists. Practically, this resource is best used as a reference tool to identify what limited data exist for specific pediatric indications,
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