Pediatric patients and medical cannabis: new trends

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Despite the ancestral use of cannabinoids in adults, safety and efficacy in children is unclear. The impact of cannabis on the developing brain is unknown 1 . While studies conducted in adults can provide insight into the efficacy/toxicity profile of cannabis, there is a need for specific studies in children and adolescents to understand the impact of cannabis on the developing brain, as well as the potential long-term effects of cannabis use. The objective of this study was to bring a comprehensive view and critical discussion on the subject. CONTENTS: A narrative review based on research in the Pubmed, Medline and Scielo databases was prepared, with an open theme and a selective literature review in the context of the pediatric population. CONCLUSION: Current research on the impact of medical cannabis use in children and adolescents remains limited 4 , which reinforces the need for robust studies in this population.