More children in emergency in Canada for cannabis poisoning
A study published in the medical journal specializing in biomedical sciences, JAMA Network Open reveals that visits to children under 10 in emergency rooms in Canada have increased nine-fold since the legalization of recreational cannabis in the country. Researchers from the ICES (a non-profit organization that collects health data from the population of Ontario), the Bruyère Research Institute, the Canadian Center on Substance Use and Addiction and the Toronto's SickKids Hospital have also been involved in research that primarily affects Ontario.This is one of the first portraits painted by researchers on the subject across the country since the legalization of cannabis by the federal government on October 17, 2018 , says the press release relayed by the University of Ottawa. “We have seen an increase in the frequency and severity of cases of cannabis poisoning in children under 10 years of age after cannabis legalization,” says Dr. Daniel Myran, lead author of the study, physician family, specialist in public health and preventive medicine and postdoctoral fellow at The Ottawa Hospital and the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Ottawa.
Dr. Caitlin Prendergast, pediatric emergency physician at CHEO observes this data every day. She has treated several children addicted to marijuana since 2018.
COURTESY
Two children in a comaA situation reflected in the daily life of Dr. Caitlin Prendergast, pediatric emergency physician at CHEO in Ottawa, who has observed no less than 6 cases of children under the age of 6 addicted to cannabis since she was the patron of the emergency room in 2018.
“It's not necessarily parental negligence. More often than not, it's more of a silly accident of a baby crawling around and finding cannabis gummies, or another kid who knows where their parents are hiding marijuana chocolate that has a high amount of THC in it. "
- Dr. Caitlin Prendergast, pediatric emergency physician at CHEO
The doctor reports that cases of cannabis intoxication in children mainly occur during the summer. “I treated two children who fell into a coma after accidentally using cannabis in the summer of 2019,” she reports. “The most difficult is when you look for the cause, when it's an undifferentiated coma. Before thinking about cannabis, we think of stroke, trauma, infectious diseases or other. This is what is the most complicated. Before realizing that there was cannabis in the house, ”adds the emergency physician. And since there is no antidote to cure this type of poisoning in children, they must metabolize the drug under medical supervision.
Dr. Caitlin Prendergast, pediatric emergency physician at CHEO observes this data every day. She has treated several children addicted to marijuana since 2018.
COURTESY
Two children in a comaA situation reflected in the daily life of Dr. Caitlin Prendergast, pediatric emergency physician at CHEO in Ottawa, who has observed no less than 6 cases of children under the age of 6 addicted to cannabis since she was the patron of the emergency room in 2018.
“It's not necessarily parental negligence. More often than not, it's more of a silly accident of a baby crawling around and finding cannabis gummies, or another kid who knows where their parents are hiding marijuana chocolate that has a high amount of THC in it. "
- Dr. Caitlin Prendergast, pediatric emergency physician at CHEO
The doctor reports that cases of cannabis intoxication in children mainly occur during the summer. “I treated two children who fell into a coma after accidentally using cannabis in the summer of 2019,” she reports. “The most difficult is when you look for the cause, when it's an undifferentiated coma. Before thinking about cannabis, we think of stroke, trauma, infectious diseases or other. This is what is the most complicated. Before realizing that there was cannabis in the house, ”adds the emergency physician. And since there is no antidote to cure this type of poisoning in children, they must metabolize the drug under medical supervision.
Dr. Nicholas Chadi, pediatrician and clinician-researcher specializing in adolescent medicine and drug addiction at CHU Ste-Justine believes that the accessibility of certain types of cannabis-derived products in Ontario is encouraging an increase in emergency room consultations.
COURTESY
The difference between Quebec and OntarioThe picture in Quebec is much brighter. Data largely attributable to the completely different products that are found on the shelves of stores in Ontario and Quebec according to Dr. Nicholas Chadi, pediatrician and clinician-researcher specializing in adolescent medicine and addiction at CHU Ste- Justine and who follows studies on the issue very closely.
“Canadian data is 'boosted' by Ontario data as cannabis products like chocolate bars, jellies, jujubes or brownies are available in stores. Products that are not sold to the SQDC in Quebec. "
- Dr Nicholas Chadi, pediatrician and clinician-researcher specializing in adolescent medicine and drug addiction at CHU Ste-Justine
COURTESY
The difference between Quebec and OntarioThe picture in Quebec is much brighter. Data largely attributable to the completely different products that are found on the shelves of stores in Ontario and Quebec according to Dr. Nicholas Chadi, pediatrician and clinician-researcher specializing in adolescent medicine and addiction at CHU Ste- Justine and who follows studies on the issue very closely.
“Canadian data is 'boosted' by Ontario data as cannabis products like chocolate bars, jellies, jujubes or brownies are available in stores. Products that are not sold to the SQDC in Quebec. "
- Dr Nicholas Chadi, pediatrician and clinician-researcher specializing in adolescent medicine and drug addiction at CHU Ste-Justine
"On the legal market in Quebec, we find herbs, oils and drinks at most", reports the researcher, "which is less tempting for children".
MethodologyThe study conducted by this scientific journal, JAMA Network Open , points out that the research team looked at all emergency room visits in Ontario during three key moments: before legalization, after legalization of cannabis products and oils to flower base in October 2018, then after commercial cannabis edibles (eg gummies and chocolates) and other products were legalized towards the end of January 2020. This is 522 emergency room visits for children under 10 years that have taken place, the average age of which was 3 years and 9 months. These data were collected throughout the duration of the study, from January 2016 to March 2021.
The press release relating to the study does not report any deaths. However, 171 (32.7%) affected children were hospitalized and 19 (3.6%) received intensive care.
“The largest increase in emergency room visits due to cannabis poisoning was observed after commercial edible products were legalized and a greater share of these visits were followed by hospitalization compared to the other two periods (39 % vs 25%) ”, according to the researchers.
There are 522 emergency room visits of children under the age of 10 that took place in Ontario hospitals, whose average age was 3 years and 9 months, according to the study.
ARCHIVES LE DROIT, SIMON SÉGUIN-BERTRANDStudy results
Before legalization (January 2016 to September 2018)
Total number of emergency room visits: 81
Average number of emergency room visits per month: 2.5
Percentage of emergency room visits followed by hospitalization: 25%
Legalization of cannabis flowers, seeds and oils (October 2018 to January 2020)
Total number of emergency room visits: 124
Average number of emergency room visits per month: 7.8
Average monthly increase in emergency room visits compared to the period before legalization: 3 times
Percentage of emergency room visits followed by hospitalization: 24%
Legalization of edibles and other products (February 2020 to March 2021)
Total number of emergency room visits: 317
Average number of emergency room visits per month: 22.6
Average monthly increase in emergency room visits compared to the period before legalization: 9 times
Percentage of emergency room visits followed by hospitalization: 39%
Cannabis poisonings on the riseResearchers have seen a decrease in emergency room visits due to all types of childhood poisoning in Ontario during the pandemic, except for cannabis poisonings, which were on the rise. After these types of products were marketed, almost 10% of all emergency room visits for childhood poisoning in Ontario were related to cannabis. It's a whole different picture at CHU Ste-Justine.
“Less than 5 cases per year of cannabis poisoning have been reported to the CHU Ste-Justine emergency room for children under 12 years old since 2017, ie since the product was legalized. Which is very little. "
- Dr Nicholas Chadi
MethodologyThe study conducted by this scientific journal, JAMA Network Open , points out that the research team looked at all emergency room visits in Ontario during three key moments: before legalization, after legalization of cannabis products and oils to flower base in October 2018, then after commercial cannabis edibles (eg gummies and chocolates) and other products were legalized towards the end of January 2020. This is 522 emergency room visits for children under 10 years that have taken place, the average age of which was 3 years and 9 months. These data were collected throughout the duration of the study, from January 2016 to March 2021.
The press release relating to the study does not report any deaths. However, 171 (32.7%) affected children were hospitalized and 19 (3.6%) received intensive care.
“The largest increase in emergency room visits due to cannabis poisoning was observed after commercial edible products were legalized and a greater share of these visits were followed by hospitalization compared to the other two periods (39 % vs 25%) ”, according to the researchers.
There are 522 emergency room visits of children under the age of 10 that took place in Ontario hospitals, whose average age was 3 years and 9 months, according to the study.
ARCHIVES LE DROIT, SIMON SÉGUIN-BERTRANDStudy results
Before legalization (January 2016 to September 2018)
Total number of emergency room visits: 81
Average number of emergency room visits per month: 2.5
Percentage of emergency room visits followed by hospitalization: 25%
Legalization of cannabis flowers, seeds and oils (October 2018 to January 2020)
Total number of emergency room visits: 124
Average number of emergency room visits per month: 7.8
Average monthly increase in emergency room visits compared to the period before legalization: 3 times
Percentage of emergency room visits followed by hospitalization: 24%
Legalization of edibles and other products (February 2020 to March 2021)
Total number of emergency room visits: 317
Average number of emergency room visits per month: 22.6
Average monthly increase in emergency room visits compared to the period before legalization: 9 times
Percentage of emergency room visits followed by hospitalization: 39%
Cannabis poisonings on the riseResearchers have seen a decrease in emergency room visits due to all types of childhood poisoning in Ontario during the pandemic, except for cannabis poisonings, which were on the rise. After these types of products were marketed, almost 10% of all emergency room visits for childhood poisoning in Ontario were related to cannabis. It's a whole different picture at CHU Ste-Justine.
“Less than 5 cases per year of cannabis poisoning have been reported to the CHU Ste-Justine emergency room for children under 12 years old since 2017, ie since the product was legalized. Which is very little. "
- Dr Nicholas Chadi
THC more harmful to children“The consequences for a 2-3 year old child who accidentally uses cannabis can be serious. The amount of THC in the product can make them dizzy, lull them to sleep, make them anxious, ”the researcher reports. As more countries consider legalizing recreational cannabis, Dr. Chadi and Dr.Prendergast point out that 4 years after its legalization, the time has come to see if the public policies in place are doing their prevention work adequately. “More action is needed to reduce the appeal of edibles to young children. For example, more stringent restrictions must be placed on the appearance and taste of edibles once they are out of their packaging, especially in Ontario where the amount of tempting products that can end up in homes is greater. "
Other ongoing studyD r Chadi also recalled that a study is being conducted by Dr. Dr. Richard Bélanger, a pediatrician at the CHUL in Quebec from the Canadian Pediatric Surveillance Program . Across Canada, there were 36 cases (including 10 in Quebec) of serious and potentially fatal events associated with the use of cannabis for non-medical purposes among those under 18 years of age in 2019, and 48 cases in 2020. The results for 2021 are to come. These are cases reported by pediatricians in practice across Canada.
The Ontario Poison Control Center at 1-800-268-9017 is the go-to point if your child accidentally uses cannabis.
In Quebec, the Poison Control Center is open 24/7 at 1-800-463-5060.
Other ongoing studyD r Chadi also recalled that a study is being conducted by Dr. Dr. Richard Bélanger, a pediatrician at the CHUL in Quebec from the Canadian Pediatric Surveillance Program . Across Canada, there were 36 cases (including 10 in Quebec) of serious and potentially fatal events associated with the use of cannabis for non-medical purposes among those under 18 years of age in 2019, and 48 cases in 2020. The results for 2021 are to come. These are cases reported by pediatricians in practice across Canada.
The Ontario Poison Control Center at 1-800-268-9017 is the go-to point if your child accidentally uses cannabis.
In Quebec, the Poison Control Center is open 24/7 at 1-800-463-5060.
MARIE-PIERRE ROY-CARBONNEAU
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The right
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