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- Title
Unintentional cannabis exposures in children pre- and post-legalization: A retrospective review from a Canadian paediatric hospital.
- Authors
Coret, Alon; Rowan-Legg, Anne
- Abstract
Objectives Canada legalized recreational cannabis in October 2018. Cannabis is increasingly available in numerous forms—especially edibles—that make children vulnerable to unintentional intoxication. We sought to: determine the frequency of visits due to cannabis intoxication pre- and post-legalization; characterize the clinical features and circumstances of cannabis intoxication in the paediatric population; and create greater awareness among healthcare providers about this issue. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of Emergency Department visits at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (Ottawa, ON) between March 2013 and September 2020. Inclusion criteria were: age <18 years; unintentional cannabis ingestion, identified by ICD-10 codes T40.7 and X42. We assessed basic demographics, clinical signs and symptoms, exposure details, investigations, and patient disposition. Results A total of 37 patients (22 male) met inclusion criteria, mean age 5.9±3.8 years. Most visits (32; 86%) occurred in the 2-year period after legalization. Altered levels of consciousness, lethargy/somnolence, tachycardia, and vomiting were the most common presenting signs and symptoms. The majority of exposures were to edibles (28; 76%) in the home setting (30; 81%). Poison control and child protective services were involved in 19 (51%) and 22 (59%) of cases, respectively. Twelve patients (32%) required admission to the hospital, the majority of whom stayed <24 h. Conclusions Our data confirm increased paediatric hospital visits related to unintentional cannabis exposures post-legalization. Consideration of this clinical presentation is critical for acute care providers. Advocacy for safe storage strategies and appropriate enforcement of marketing/packaging legislation are imperative for public health policymakers.
- Subjects
CANADA; MARKETING laws; RISK factors of environmental exposure; CANNABIS (Genus); SUBSTANCE abuse; CHILDREN'S hospitals; RETROSPECTIVE studies; CHILDREN'S accident prevention; DRUG storage; POLICY sciences; SYMPTOMS; CHILDREN
- Publication
Paediatrics & Child Health (1205-7088), 2022, Vol 27, Issue 5, p265
- ISSN
1205-7088
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/pch/pxab090