Introduction
The use of cannabidiol (CBD) as a medical solution for pediatric epilepsy has been on the headlines in recent days. This is based on the use of CBD chemical compounds, which are non-psychoactive compounds of the cannabis plant, in treating children with epilepsy diseases. Pediatric epilepsy is a repetitive seizure of chronic neurologic dysfunction with impairments in the state of mind that hits young children, mostly affecting their normal development and quality of life (Park et al., 2020). Most such children are not brought under effective seizure control by a conventional treatment option, hence the quest for alternative strategies like CBD. CBD has reportedly shown the promise of decreasing both the frequency and intensity of seizures in some pediatric epilepsy patients, so researchers are looking at its potential pros and cons. This inherently controversial issue needs to be handled impartially, weighing all of the potential upsides and downsides that CBD as a medical option might present. A review of this pertinent modern literature, as well as logical scientific findings regarding this topic, can set up a comprehensive point of view with regard to the therapeutic value of CBD in pediatric epilepsy. Such findings would help provide the best kind of informed decisions and care for children with epilepsy.
Impact on Pediatric Health
Implications for the health of the pediatric population arise when considering cannabidiol (CBD) as a medical option for pediatric epilepsy. On an analysis of the trend, a reflection of knowledge relating to growth and development in children is fundamental, together with the metaparadigm of nursing.
First, CBD use in pediatric epilepsy might directly influence the physical health of children. Indeed, it is through epilepsy that the general health of patients suffers from various complications such as cognitive deficits, behavioral problems, and a lack of psychomotor skills. When examining the potential of CBD as a form of medication, it aims at reducing the frequency and intensity of such seizures, something that can lead to better overall health outcomes for such children. In addition, the potential conventional antiepileptic drugs’ side effects, including hepatotoxicity and cognitive impairments, warrant treatment alternatives such as CBD (Mazurkiewicz-Bedzińska & Zawadzka et al., 2022). Therefore, consideration must be made regarding the possible effects of CBD on cognitive development, motor skills, and social-emotional developmental aspects of health while assessing overall child health. Another important consideration that deserves proper weight is the possible effect on communication capabilities in children. In addition, the long-term effects of CBD usage on growth parameters like height and weight need to be evaluated for achieving optimum pediatrics.
The most crucial metaparadigm of nursing principles views the impact of CBD trends on pediatric health. For instance, the metaparadigm of nursing showcases that holism refers to the idea that holistic care, inclusive of the physical, emotional, and even social aspects, is given to an individual. When considering CBD as an option for pediatric epilepsy, nurses should assess the outcomes of physical health and the potential implications psychologically and socially for the child (Ben-Zeev, 2020). It should inform parents of ways CBD could affect the quality of life of a child in areas such as emotions, socialization, and education. Besides, the nursing paradigm seeks to advocate for the protection of the interests of a child. Educating families and caregivers on the potential benefits and hazards of CBD use is essential in enabling them to make informed decisions on matters pertaining to the health care of their child, where concerns have been raised by anyone concerning CBD.
Arguments for and against CBD as a medical option
Supporters of CBD’s use as a medical option for pediatric epilepsy point to an ever-increasing body of evidence supporting its potential benefits. First, study findings have shown that CBD might have anticonvulsant properties, therefore resulting in a reduction in the number and severity of seizures in some children with epilepsy. Another systematic review published in the Journal of Clinical Neurology indicated that there is a significant reduction in seizure frequency with CBD treatment compared to placebo among pediatric patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy (Klotz et al., 2018). This is a sign that CBD holds promise to be a therapeutic interference in this age of illness in children unresponsive to traditional antiepileptic drugs or added as an adjunct to these drugs.
Secondly, CBD has been demonstrated to be well tolerated in pediatric patients. A new comprehensive study from the New England Journal of Medicine researchers evaluated the safety and effectiveness of CBD intervention among children and young adults diagnosed with Dravet syndrome, the most extreme form of epilepsy. The results showed that side effects were much more common among the patients who received CBD and included somnolence, a decrease in appetite, and diarrhea (Klotz et al., 2018). This suggests the potential for CBD to offer a relatively safe and effective treatment option for pediatric epilepsy because most of the children involved appear to have experienced complete cessation of seizure activity even when other treatments failed or were accompanied by severe side effects.
On the other hand, there are opposing views on having CBD chosen as a medical option for pediatric epilepsy that need to be considered. First, the long-term effects of using CBD in children are yet to be well understood. However, despite positive results from short-term studies, very little long-term information is available regarding the safety and efficacy of CBD in pediatric epilepsy (Medical Marijuana, n.d.). This begs questions about unknown possible risks and the necessity for further research. Another barrier to access is the highly complex, changing, and varied regulatory landscape within which CBD products operate. Differences in the regulation as well as the legal status of CBD products may imperil barriers to entry and availability just as much as quality control (Medical Marijuana, n.d.). Also, CBD lacks standardized dosing guidelines, and thus, a consistent therapeutic outcome can be challenging to achieve with the product.
Personal Stand/View
In light of the existing literature, my perspective on CBD as a medical treatment option for pediatric epilepsy is optimistic but cautious. The accumulated evidence shows that CBD exhibits possible benefits in reducing the frequency of seizures and contributing to a better quality of life for children with epilepsy. Research has reported promising effects concerning CBD’s anticonvulsant characteristics and its relatively benign safety profile in children. Although more long-term research is still necessary for a complete understanding of its effectiveness and side effects, the current evidence suggests that CBD may be an effective alternative or adjunct therapy to treat children resistant to conventional antiepileptic drugs. These benefits of CBD, combined with its limited treatment options and substantial side effects associated with other conventional drugs, make this an exciting avenue to pursue in the management of pediatric epilepsy. However, CBD usage should be dealt with cautiously, given patient-specific traits, observation of chances for any probable side effects, and adherence to legal and regulatory provisions. The research should be continued along with the properly designed clinical trials to reach standardized advice for using CBD as a treatment choice for pediatric epilepsy.
Health Education Recommendation
Considering the trend in cannabidiol (CBD) use as an intervention for pediatric epilepsy, health education should be based on the pediatric population and the caregivers of these children. To begin with, health education should emphasize making informed decisions. There is a need, therefore, to ensure that families and caregivers are adequately advised on the possible pros and cons of CBD as an alternative treatment for childhood epilepsy. Such an education would include a comprehensive review of actual scientific evidence, emphasizing the possible anticonvulsive effects of CBD and a relatively favorable safety profile in children (Society, n.d.).
Educating and equipping patients with accurate and updated information can help them function according to their decisions with professionals. While CBD shows much promise as a medical alternative in the treatment of pediatric epilepsy, care must be taken to note that not all children can respond positively to such therapy; perhaps doses and regimens need to be adjusted accordingly. It, therefore, follows that routine monitoring as a vital element in assessing the frequency, adverse effects, and effects of hair or body behavior is crucial in evaluating the effectiveness and safety of CBD treatment (Society, n.d.). Hence, health practitioners should place great weight on the openness of communication and equal follow-up visits to individually modify each child’s treatment regime.
The health education recommendations resonate with my personal point of view because they promote the cautious, informed use of CBD in pediatric epilepsy. Considering individual needs and circumstances, CBD’s potential benefits and risks can be carefully taken into account by providing accurate information to families and encouraging open communication between them and healthcare professionals (Society, n.d.). These recommendations also support the principle of patient-centered care in that they provide a means for families and caregivers to be involved in how their child’s healthcare is being administered.
Resources for CBD in Pediatric Epilepsy
CBD has shown potential in managing epilepsy among children, and in this line of use, a whole host of resources support it. These resources form the backbone when giving patients, their family members, and caregivers information, guidance, and support. Some of the significant resources include:
- Epilepsy Foundation Advocacy: The Epilepsy Foundation is very supportive of marijuana and CBD treatments for epilepsy. They provide information on the benefits and risks of cannabis as a medical treatment and the legal status of cannabis at both the state and federal level (Advocacy: Medical Cannabis CBD, n.d.).
- Medical Home Portal: Medical Home Portal provides an in-depth resource on CBD in children with neurologic conditions. It studies, from a pharmacology perspective, the therapeutic tendency of CBD in epilepsy and in other neuropsychiatric disorders. The portal also discusses studies, clinical trials, and practical experiences with CBD in pediatric epilepsy (Medical et al., CBD for Neurologic Conditions in Children, n.d.).
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released a technical report that elucidates the effect of marijuana policies on children and adolescents, including policies that relate to medical marijuana and cannabidiol. This report reviews the epidemic, the theology of marijuana use, the biology of marijuana compounds, and the effects of use on adolescent brain development. It also touches on the legal and safety issues that pertain to medical marijuana use in pediatric patients (Medical et al., CBD for Neurologic Conditions in Children, n.d.).
- Research Studies: A few research studies were carried out relating to the application of CBD among pediatric epileptic patients. The studies, such as those by Park et al. (2020) and Mazurkiewicz-Bedzińska and Zawadzka (2022), among others, brought to light that CBD administration was probably effective in reducing the frequency of seizures amongst most drug-resistant epileptic patients.
Conclusion
In summary, the use of cannabidiol (CBD) as a medication option for pediatric epilepsy has both benefits and understandings to be expounded. Though limited data is available, early evidence from randomized controlled trials shows that CBD may have an anticonvulsant effect with sufficient gauges to favor good tolerance, hence the potential for new alternatives or add-on drug therapy in children with treatment-resistant epilepsy. However, the clinical implications of CBD in long-term treatment among pediatricians still need to be established, hence the need for additional studies to determine its effectiveness even when showing its potential risks. The current state of affairs regarding CBD is multifaceted and varied jurisdictionally, making access to aspects surrounding quality control a bit cumbersome.
References
Park, Y. D., Linder, D. F., Pope, J., Flamini, J. R., Moretz, K., Diamond, M. P., & Long, S. A. (2020). Long-term efficacy and safety of cannabidiol (CBD) in children with treatment-resistant epilepsy: Results from a state-based expanded access program. Epilepsy & Behavior, 112, 107474.
Mazurkiewicz-Bełdzińska, M., & Zawadzka, M. (2022). Use of cannabidiol in the treatment of epilepsy. Neurologia i neurochirurgia polska, 56(1), 14-20.
Ben-Zeev, B. (2020). Medical Cannabis for Intractable Epilepsy in Childhood: A Review. Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.5041/RMMJ.10387
Klotz, K. A., Schulze-Bonhage, A., Antonio-Arce, V. S., & Jacobs, J. (2018). Cannabidiol for Treatment of Childhood Epilepsy–A Cross-Sectional Survey. Frontiers in Neurology, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2018.00731
Medical Marijuana. (n.d.). Epilepsy Foundation. https://www.epilepsy.com/treatment/alternative-therapies/medical-marijuana
Society, C. P. (n.d.). Medical cannabis for children: Evidence and recommendations | Canadian Paediatric Society. Cps.ca. https://cps.ca/en/documents/position/medical-cannabis-for-children-evidence-and-recommendations
Advocacy: Medical Cannabis CBD. (n.d.). Epilepsy Foundation. https://www.epilepsy.com/advocacy/priorities/medical-cannabis-cbd
Medical Home Portal – CBD for Neurologic Conditions in Children. (n.d.). Www.medicalhomeportal.org. https://www.medicalhomeportal.org/clinical-practice/common-issues-for-cyshcn/seizures-and-epilepsy/cbd-for-neurologic-conditions-in-children
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