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Cannabis Exposure in Young Children Prompted Child Protection Involvement in Every Case

All 29 children under 4 who tested positive for cannabis in the ER triggered child protection activation, but over 60% of caregivers denied knowledge of exposure.

Fridler, Dvora et al.·European journal of pediatrics·2025·Preliminary EvidenceRetrospective Cohort
Youth (1291)Harm Reduction (776)
RTHC-06485Retrospective CohortPreliminary Evidence2025RETHINKTHC RESEARCH DATABASErethinkthc.com/research

Quick Facts

Study Type
Retrospective Cohort
Evidence
Preliminary Evidence
Sample
N=29

What This Study Found

Over 10 years, 29 children 0-48 months tested positive for cannabis. Neurological symptoms were universal. CPT activated in 100%, police reports 93.1%, CPS contacted 62.1%. Only one caregiver admitted exposure. 37.9% had multiple prior ER visits.

Key Numbers

29 cases. 65.5% male. Median age 14 months. CPT: 100%. Police: 93.1%. CPS: 62.1%. Caregiver admission: 3.4%. Multiple prior ER visits: 37.9%.

How They Did This

Retrospective 10-year analysis (2010-2021) at Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem. Children 0-48 months with positive cannabis urine toxicology.

Why This Research Matters

As cannabis products become more available, pediatric exposures increase. Non-specific symptoms and caregiver denial make diagnosis challenging.

The Bigger Picture

The tension between cannabis legalization and child safety is real. Multiple ER visits may signal neglect.

What This Study Doesn't Tell Us

Single center in Jerusalem. Small sample. Retrospective. Cannot determine route or intentionality.

Questions This Raises

  • ?How many exposures go undetected?
  • ?Should routine toxicology be considered for unexplained pediatric neurological symptoms?

Trust & Context

Key Stat:
100% child protection activation; only 3.4% caregiver disclosure
Evidence Grade:
Small retrospective case series at a single center.
Study Age:
2025 study
Original Title:
Cannabinoid exposure in infants and children in the pediatric emergency department-the child protection perspective.
Published In:
European journal of pediatrics, 184(5), 310 (2025)
Database ID:
RTHC-06485

Evidence Hierarchy

Meta-Analysis / Systematic Review
Randomized Controlled Trial
Cohort / Case-ControlFollows or compares groups over time
This study
Cross-Sectional / Observational
Case Report / Animal Study

Looks back at existing records to find patterns.

What do these levels mean? →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do young children get exposed?

Caregivers rarely disclosed. Common pathways include ingesting edibles, secondhand smoke, or contact with cannabis materials.

What symptoms did children have?

Universal neurological symptoms including altered consciousness and drowsiness.

Read More on RethinkTHC

Cite This Study

RTHC-06485·https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06485

APA

Fridler, Dvora; Cahan, Lea Ohana Sarna; Moshe, Adi Bracha; Guzner, Noa; Gross, Itai; Hashavya, Saar. (2025). Cannabinoid exposure in infants and children in the pediatric emergency department-the child protection perspective.. European journal of pediatrics, 184(5), 310. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-025-06129-1

MLA

Fridler, Dvora, et al. "Cannabinoid exposure in infants and children in the pediatric emergency department-the child protection perspective.." European journal of pediatrics, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-025-06129-1

RethinkTHC

RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabinoid exposure in infants and children in the pediatri..." RTHC-06485. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/fridler-2025-cannabinoid-exposure-in-infants

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Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.

This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.

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