Keeping Kids Healthy by Dr. Sally Robinson
The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a letter for parents about cannabis products. Everywhere there are advertisements promoting the health benefits about cannabis based products proclaiming all sorts of health benefits for everything from behavior to pain control. Unfortunately very few of these claims have any backing of scientific studies. While there are some studies that show some relief with cannabis based products they are very few and not with children
Hemp and marijuana plants both have psychoactive substances, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC). These substances affect the brain. Hemp is the nickname for cannabis plant that has 0.3% or less of THC when dried. Marijuana is the name used for the cannabis plant that contain more than 0.3% THC when dried.
With both CBD and THC, like all other medications or drugs, children are more likely to access and consume them by mistake. Poison control centers have reported more calls about CBD ingestions. The number of calls is steadily increasing as these products becomes more available. Symptoms of CBD overdose include extreme confusion, anxiety, paranoia, panic, fast heart rate, delusions or hallucination, increased blood pressure and severe nausea and vomiting.
The Food and Drug Administration is gathering information about problems related to cannabis. They offer the following warnings:
- Some products contain more or less CBD than labeled and there is no wayto tell if the product is contaminated with a harmful ingredient
- Only one CBD-based medication is FDA approved.This drug is used for children with two rare types of epilepsy.The FDA has not yet approved any other cannabis-based medication for pediatric diseases.
- The FDA has not approved over-the-counter cannabis products for the diagnosis, cure, treatment or prevention of any disease.
As the cannabis based products are becoming increasingly available caregivers should be aware that the cannabidiol has not been studied to determine if there are benefits for children. Long term effects to the developing brain are not known. The beneficial dosage is not known. At present it would be best to think of cannabis based products as potentially beneficial drugs but also a medications that should have proven benefits and known side effects. Also that the preparation of this “medication” has known ingredients mixed with it and appropriately labeled.
While we all search for “happiness” or the fountain of youth remember the ancient advice, Let the buyer beware.
Sally Robinson, MD Clinical Professor
UTMB Pediatrics - Children's Complex Care
Also See: Adolescent Medicine
www.aappublications.org-CBD Warning to Parents