The use of medical cannabis in pediatric palliative care: a case series

Title

The use of medical cannabis in pediatric palliative care: a case series

Creator

Divisic A; Avagnina I; De Tommasi V; Santini A; Brogelli L; Giacomelli L; Benini F

Publisher

Italian Journal of Pediatrics

Date

2021

Subject

Pediatric palliative care; chronic pain; Cannabidiol; cannabis; D9-tetrahydrocannabinol

Description

BACKGROUND: Medical cannabis may be a useful tool for managing treatment-resistant epilepsy and chronic pain, which affect many patients in pediatric palliative care (PPC); however, little evidence is available in this setting. CASE PRESENTATION: We aimed to describe a clinical experience in a setting where high-level evidence may not be obtained. We report our clinical experience in a pediatric palliative care department in Italy. Caregivers reported changes in intensity and frequency of pain and epilepsy events. Six patients received a titrated plant extract of cannabis sativa for 1 year. Only mild and transient adverse events occurred: drowsiness, euphoria, restlessness and tachycardia; the resolution was either spontaneous or obtained by modifying the administration schedule. Treatment was never discontinued. No overdoses occurred. All patients experienced seizures during the pre-treatment observation period, and obtained a reduction in seizure frequency, although with variable extent while receiving cannabis. In addition, a benefit on pain was observed, based on the caregiver's evaluation, and a reduction of analgesic use. CONCLUSION: Our experience suggests that a titrated plant extract preparation of medical cannabis may be useful to control treatment-resistant pain and epilepsy in PPC patients.

Rights

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Citation List Month

January 2022 List

Collection

Citation

Divisic A; Avagnina I; De Tommasi V; Santini A; Brogelli L; Giacomelli L; Benini F, “The use of medical cannabis in pediatric palliative care: a case series,” Pediatric Palliative Care Library, accessed March 28, 2024, https://pedpalascnetlibrary.omeka.net/items/show/17771.