Toddler Developed Status Epilepticus After Eating Cannabis Edibles
An 18-month-old with no seizure history developed status epilepticus requiring intubation after ingesting cannabis edibles, with lab-confirmed THC levels over 500 ng/mL in urine -- the first reported case of its kind.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
An 18-month-old male presented with generalized tonic-clonic seizures that recurred despite multiple benzodiazepine doses, requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. Extensive workup (CT, MRI, lumbar puncture, infectious testing) found no alternative cause. Urine THC-COOH exceeded 500 ng/mL and serum THC-COOH was 256 ng/mL. Urine benzoylecgonine (cocaine metabolite) was also detected at 74 ng/mL. The child returned to neurologic baseline and was discharged after five days.
Key Numbers
Patient age: 18 months; urine THC-COOH: >500 ng/mL; serum THC-COOH: 256 ng/mL; urine benzoylecgonine: 74 ng/mL; 5-day hospitalization; required intubation and mechanical ventilation
How They Did This
Single case report of a previously healthy 18-month-old presenting with status epilepticus. Comprehensive neurological and toxicological workup performed.
Why This Research Matters
As cannabis edibles become more available through legalization, accidental pediatric ingestion cases are increasing. This appears to be the first documented case of status epilepticus (prolonged, refractory seizures) from confirmed cannabis exposure in a toddler, highlighting a potentially life-threatening outcome.
The Bigger Picture
Pediatric cannabis edible exposures have surged since legalization, and most result in sedation and ataxia. Status epilepticus represents a much more severe outcome that emergency departments need to recognize and consider in their differential diagnosis for unexplained pediatric seizures.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Single case report. Cocaine metabolite was also detected, complicating attribution. Cannot prove causation from a single case. THC dose consumed is unknown.
Questions This Raises
- ?Did the cocaine co-exposure contribute to the seizures?
- ?How common are severe neurological outcomes from pediatric cannabis edible ingestion?
- ?Should cannabis edible packaging regulations be strengthened to prevent child access?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- First reported case of cannabis-associated status epilepticus in a toddler
- Evidence Grade:
- Single case report. Establishes that the outcome is possible but cannot determine frequency or prove definitive causation, especially with cocaine co-exposure.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2025.
- Original Title:
- Status Epilepticus After an Exploratory Ingestion of Cannabis Edibles.
- Published In:
- Cureus, 17(9), e91463 (2025)
- Authors:
- Rivera, Kevin, Adkins, Alek Q, Murray, Brian P, Hays, Hannah
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07498
Evidence Hierarchy
Describes what happened to one person or a small group.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Did the child recover fully?
Yes. The 18-month-old returned to neurologic baseline and was discharged after five days of hospitalization.
Could the cocaine exposure explain the seizures?
The cocaine metabolite was present at relatively low levels (74 ng/mL) compared to the very high THC levels (>500 ng/mL urine), but co-exposure does complicate the picture. The authors attribute the seizures primarily to cannabis.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07498APA
Rivera, Kevin; Adkins, Alek Q; Murray, Brian P; Hays, Hannah. (2025). Status Epilepticus After an Exploratory Ingestion of Cannabis Edibles.. Cureus, 17(9), e91463. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.91463
MLA
Rivera, Kevin, et al. "Status Epilepticus After an Exploratory Ingestion of Cannabis Edibles.." Cureus, 2025. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.91463
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Status Epilepticus After an Exploratory Ingestion of Cannabi..." RTHC-07498. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/rivera-2025-status-epilepticus-after-an
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.