Children with acute cannabis poisoning more often had impaired consciousness and slow breathing, while adults showed faster heart rates and lower oxygen levels.
Emergency medicine providers, pediatricians, and poison control professionals.
68 of 106 acute cannabis poisoning cases were children, with distinct clinical presentation from adults
What the researchers 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.
Why it 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 numbers in context
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 the study worked
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.
What this study cannot 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).
How to read the evidence
Single-center retrospective study with moderate sample size. The Egyptian setting may limit applicability to other populations.
When this study was published
2025 publication with data from 2019-2023.
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.
Questions still open
- 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?
Read the original research
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
Citation
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
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