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Review
. 2023 Apr 7;20(8):5430.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph20085430.

Medicinal Cannabis for Paediatric Developmental, Behavioural and Mental Health Disorders

Daryl Efron  1   2   3 , Kaitlyn Taylor  1
Affiliations
Review

Medicinal Cannabis for Paediatric Developmental, Behavioural and Mental Health Disorders

Daryl Efron et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Parents of children with developmental, behavioural and mental health disorders are increasingly asking whether medicinal cannabis might be a therapeutic option for their child. This paper presents the current evidence for medicinal cannabis in this population. Preliminary evidence from open-label studies suggests the potential for medicinal cannabis to ameliorate some symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder. However, only one double-blind placebo-controlled trial has been completed, with inconclusive findings. Synthetic, transdermal cannabidiol gel has demonstrated efficacy for reducing social avoidance in a sub-group of children with Fragile X syndrome. Studies of medicinal cannabis are planned or underway for children and/or adolescents with autism, intellectual disability, Tourette's syndrome, anxiety, psychosis, anorexia nervosa and a number of specific neurodevelopmental syndromes. High quality evidence from double-blind placebo-controlled trials is needed to guide clinical practice.

Keywords: cannabidiol; developmental disorders; medicinal cannabis; mental health; paediatrics.

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Conflict of interest statement

D.E. reports grants and non-financial support from Cann Group Limited, grants from Cannatrek Medical Pty Ltd., and non-financial support from THC Pharma Pty Ltd. outside the submitted work.

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