Clinical Takeaway
Cannabinoids have been studied across a range of pediatric medical conditions, with evidence spanning interventional trials, observational studies, and surveys. The current body of research reflects growing clinical interest but also highlights the need for standardized safety and efficacy data in patients under 18. This living systematic review provides a continuously updated framework for clinicians navigating cannabinoid use decisions in pediatric populations.
#3 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 comprehensively cataloging safety and efficacy data for cannabinoid use in pediatric populations, where clinical evidence remains sparse despite increasing off-label prescribing. The continuous update framework ensures clinicians have access to the most current evidence on cannabinoid efficacy and adverse effects in children, enabling more informed treatment decisions across conditions where cannabinoids are being considered. Given the developing pediatric nervous system’s unique vulnerability, this systematic evidence synthesis is essential for establishing evidence-based guidelines that balance potential therapeutic benefits against developmental risks.
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 timely effort to synthesize the growing body of evidence on pediatric cannabinoid use, a domain where clinical enthusiasm often outpaces rigorous data. While the comprehensive search strategy across multiple databases is methodologically sound, the heterogeneity of study designs, patient populations, and cannabinoid formulations (plant-derived versus pharmaceutical) likely creates significant challenges in drawing firm conclusions about safety and efficacy across different pediatric conditions. The review appropriately acknowledges that most evidence remains preliminary, with particularly limited data on long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in children exposed to cannabinoids during critical periods of brain development. Given the current evidence landscape, clinicians should reserve cannabinoid therapy for well-defined pediatric indications where conventional treatments have failed (such as certain seizure disorders), maintain close monitoring for adverse effects, and engage in thorough informed consent discussions that honestly reflect the gaps in our knowledge. As this living review continues to be updated, it may serve as a valuable tool to guide increasingly individualized decision-