Unintentional cannabis ingestion in children can cause coma and respiratory depression
As cannabis legalization expands, unintentional pediatric cannabis ingestions are rising, with children potentially experiencing encephalopathy, coma, and respiratory depression from cannabis-containing products.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Unintentional cannabis ingestions in children can cause significant toxicity including encephalopathy, coma, and respiratory depression. ED visits and poison control calls for pediatric cannabis exposure are rising in states with liberalized cannabis laws. Cannabis-containing products (edibles) are a particular risk for young children.
Key Numbers
No specific pooled statistics. Review synthesized trends in pediatric cannabis exposure data from multiple sources.
How They Did This
Narrative review of pediatric acute cannabis toxicity, covering recognition, evaluation, management, and counseling approaches.
Why This Research Matters
Pediatric clinicians in legalized states need to recognize cannabis toxicity quickly, as the presentation (altered mental status, respiratory depression) can mimic more serious conditions.
The Bigger Picture
The shift toward edible cannabis products creates particular risk for young children, who may mistake cannabis gummies, chocolates, or baked goods for regular food.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Narrative review. Does not provide specific prevalence or incidence data. Focused on acute toxicity, not long-term effects.
Questions This Raises
- ?Are current child-resistant packaging requirements adequate?
- ?Should cannabis edibles be required to look distinct from regular food products?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Cannabis can cause coma and respiratory depression in children
- Evidence Grade:
- Narrative review providing clinical guidance based on accumulated case data and expert opinion.
- Study Age:
- 2019 review.
- Original Title:
- Acute Cannabis Toxicity.
- Published In:
- Pediatric emergency care, 35(11), 799-804 (2019)
- Authors:
- Wong, Kei U, Baum, Carl R
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02354
Evidence Hierarchy
Summarizes existing research on a topic.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a child accidentally eats cannabis edibles?
Children can experience significant toxicity including altered mental status (encephalopathy), coma, and respiratory depression from unintentional cannabis ingestion.
Are pediatric cannabis exposures increasing?
Yes, ED visits and poison control calls for unintentional pediatric cannabis exposure are rising in states that have liberalized cannabis laws.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02354APA
Wong, Kei U; Baum, Carl R. (2019). Acute Cannabis Toxicity.. Pediatric emergency care, 35(11), 799-804. https://doi.org/10.1097/PEC.0000000000001970
MLA
Wong, Kei U, et al. "Acute Cannabis Toxicity.." Pediatric emergency care, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1097/PEC.0000000000001970
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Acute Cannabis Toxicity." RTHC-02354. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/wong-2019-acute-cannabis-toxicity
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.