Saturday 7 Nov · 16:00–17:00 60 min On now Finished
Can pediatric patients use THC?
The lecture addresses the possibilities and limits of using cannabinoids in pediatric medicine with particular focus on tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It begins with a brief introduction to the principal cannabinoids of cannabis, THC and cannabidiol (CBD), their pharmacological properties and the role of the endocannabinoid system in the human organism. Therapeutic effects of cannabinoids are then discussed, including their use in the treatment of epilepsy, autism, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and in palliative care. Significant attention is given to historical contributions of Czechoslovak research on medicinal cannabis and to the nutritional importance of hemp seeds.
The main topic of the lecture is the question of safety and justification for administering THC to children and adolescents. Current knowledge about brain development, which continues approximately until 25 to 30 years of age, and about possible risks of early THC exposure are summarized. Potential adverse effects include impairments of attention, memory, cognitive development, emotion regulation, and an increased risk of certain psychiatric complications in predisposed individuals. At the same time, situations are presented in which THC may be beneficial under strict medical supervision, for example in severe chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, in selected cases of palliative care, or exceptionally within compassionate use programs.
The lecture emphasizes that THC is not a commonly used pediatric medication and should be considered only after standard therapeutic approaches have failed. For a number of conditions, especially pharmacoresistant epilepsies, the preferred cannabinoid is CBD, which lacks THC’s psychoactive effects. In conclusion, it is stated that the benefits of THC in pediatric patients are limited to narrowly defined clinical situations, while potential risks to the developing nervous system require maximal caution, individualized assessment, and long-term patient monitoring.
Keywords: cannabis, THC, CBD, pediatrics, epilepsy, autism, palliative care, brain development, endocannabinoid system, medicinal cannabis.
