How Cannabis Poisoning Differs Between Children and Adults
Children with acute cannabis poisoning more often had impaired consciousness and slow breathing, while adults showed faster heart rates and lower oxygen levels.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among 106 patients with acute cannabinoid toxicity (68 children, 38 adults), children more frequently presented with impaired consciousness and bradypnea, while adults showed tachycardia, low oxygen saturation, hypokalemia, and leukocytosis. Delayed medical intervention was a significant risk factor for complications and longer hospital stays in children.
Key Numbers
106 total patients: 68 children, 38 adults over 5 years. Children had significantly more impaired consciousness and bradypnea. Adults had significantly more tachycardia, low oxygen saturation, hypokalemia, and leukocytosis (all p < 0.001). Only 4 cases involved synthetic cannabinoids.
How They Did This
Five-year retrospective study (2019-2023) at a single Egyptian poison control center reviewing medical records of patients admitted for acute cannabinoid toxicity. Patients divided into pediatric (18 and under) and adult groups.
Why This Research Matters
As cannabis access expands, accidental pediatric exposures are increasing. Understanding how poisoning presents differently in children versus adults helps emergency departments provide faster, more appropriate care.
The Bigger Picture
Pediatric cannabis exposures have risen sharply in jurisdictions with legal cannabis markets, driven largely by accidental ingestion of edibles. The distinct clinical presentations in children underscore the need for age-specific emergency protocols.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Single center in Egypt, which may not reflect exposure patterns in other regions. Retrospective design limits data quality. Natural and synthetic cannabinoid cases were mixed. Small sample size for the synthetic cannabinoid subgroup (n=4).
Questions This Raises
- ?How do edible-specific poisoning presentations differ from smoked cannabis toxicity in children?
- ?Would standardized screening protocols reduce the delay to medical intervention in pediatric cases?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 68 of 106 acute cannabis poisoning cases were children, with distinct clinical presentation from adults
- Evidence Grade:
- Single-center retrospective study with moderate sample size. The Egyptian setting may limit applicability to other populations.
- Study Age:
- 2025 publication with data from 2019-2023.
- Original Title:
- Comparison between pediatric and adult acute natural cannabinoids toxicity: A 5-year retrospective study with special consideration of acute synthetic cannabinoids toxicity.
- Published In:
- Toxicology reports, 14, 101986 (2025)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-06673
Evidence Hierarchy
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06673APA
Hodeib, Aliaa A; Elmansy, Alshaimma Mahmoud; Ghonem, Mona M. (2025). Comparison between pediatric and adult acute natural cannabinoids toxicity: A 5-year retrospective study with special consideration of acute synthetic cannabinoids toxicity.. Toxicology reports, 14, 101986. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2025.101986
MLA
Hodeib, Aliaa A, et al. "Comparison between pediatric and adult acute natural cannabinoids toxicity: A 5-year retrospective study with special consideration of acute synthetic cannabinoids toxicity.." Toxicology reports, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2025.101986
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Comparison between pediatric and adult acute natural cannabi..." RTHC-06673. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/hodeib-2025-comparison-between-pediatric-and
Access the Original Study
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.