Introduction
Treating epilepsy in children is a significant problem requiring searching for an optimal solution. Seizures significantly threaten a child’s life, and existing drug treatment options have significant side effects. All this forces doctors to look for alternative treatment options that may include Cannabidiol (CBD).
However, the use of this substance in pediatrics causes much controversy among experts. Therefore, this article analyzes the arguments for and against CBD as a treatment option for epilepsy in children, given the available evidence and its implications for children’s health and well-being. Based on the analysis of both sides of this problem, a conclusion will be made, and recommendations for the use of cannabidiol in pediatrics will be made.
Developmental Theory
To begin the analysis of the use of Cannabidiol (CBD) for treating epilepsy in children, one can use Erik Erikson’s developmental theory of Erik Erikson. According to Erikson, people go through eight stages of psychosocial development, each presenting a unique problem or crisis that must be successfully resolved to progress to the next stage (Cherry, 2022). In the context of childhood epilepsy, using CBD as a medical option can impact a child’s psychosocial development. For example, in the early stages of development, a child develops a sense of trust, autonomy, and initiative (Cherry, 2022). The impact of cannabidiol use on their emotional state leads to significant changes in consciousness and self-perception.
In the later stages of a child’s development, medical use of CBD can negatively impact their cognitive function and learning. Moreover, according to Erickson, adolescents “form their identities between 12 and 18” (Cherry, 2022, para 4). Therefore, the use of CBD can affect the self-identification of adolescents and lead to violations in building relationships with others. It is critical to consider the potential impact of Cannabidiol use on their self-esteem, social interactions, and overall psychosocial well-being.
Metaparadigm of Nursing
The use of CBD in the pediatric population for epilepsy can be evaluated within the nursing metaparadigm. It includes four interrelated concepts: person, environment, health, and nursing (Johnson, n.d.). The treatment should focus on meeting the child’s needs, including both physiological and psychological aspects. Additionally, treatment must consider both ethical standards and the patient’s cultural background. The use of CBD in the treatment of children raises significant ethical issues, so obtaining informed consent from the patient or their representatives is essential.
Moreover, understanding the legal rationale for using CBD for therapy is necessary. The aspect of health encompasses the provision of positive treatment outcomes, which is the maximum relief of the patient’s condition and an improvement in the quality of life. Nursing involves employing an evidence-based approach to patient care, as well as active interaction with patients and their families, including the provision of information and education, to achieve the most favorable outcomes.
Arguments
Arguments for CBD Use
Based on the analyzed literature, several arguments can be made in favor of the use of Cannabidiol for the treatment of epilepsy in children. Many studies show the positive effect of CBD in reducing the number of seizures in patients with epilepsy. Raucci et al. (2020) cite the case of five-year-old Charlotte “with SCN1A-confirmed Dravet syndrome who had more than 50 generalized tonic-clonic seizures” as an example of the effectiveness of CBD (p. 2).
The use of Cannabidiol contributed to a reduction in the frequency of seizures by almost 90%. In addition, Ben-Zeev (2020) states that various randomized studies show an 83% increase in seizure control with CBD. These results point to the potential efficacy of CBD as an adjunctive treatment to reduce seizures in children.
In addition, compared to traditional antiepileptic drugs, CBD has shown a relatively favorable side effect profile in pediatric patients. Among the most common side effects of CBD use, patients noted “a slight decrease in appetite and mild drowsiness” (Ben-Zeev, 2020, p. 3). Minor nausea and diarrhea have been reported, along with other side effects. However, most patients and their parents reported that these side effects were less severe than those of other medications (Erridge et al., 2020). It suggests that CBD may offer a well-tolerated treatment option for children with epilepsy, especially those who experience intolerable side effects from other medications.
Arguments Against CBD Use
On the other hand, Cannabidiol has several arguments against it. One of the main concerns with the use of CBD in pediatric epilepsy is the limited availability of long-term safety data. The ongoing clinical trials were short-term and evaluated patients over 12 weeks of CBD as a treatment for epilepsy (Ben-Zeev, 2020). Although the use of CBD is expected to have the potential for a significant beneficial effect, further research is needed.
In addition, the use of Cannabidiol may raise legal issues. The regulatory framework associated with using CBD for epilepsy in children is complex and varies across jurisdictions (Raucci et al., 2020). There are many laws regarding the legality of the use of CBD for medical purposes that healthcare professionals need to consider. Moreover, in this case, the issue involves children, which may lead to additional legal complications.
Personal View on the Issue
Based on the reviewed literature, I believe that Cannabidiol can be used in the pediatric population for epilepsy. A clinical study on the use of CBD has demonstrated a significant positive effect on seizure control (Erridge et al., 2020). Cannabidiol helps reduce the frequency and intensity of seizures, providing patients with a better quality of life.
In addition, CBD use may improve severe cases of epilepsy, such as Dravet syndrome (Raucci et al., 2020). Moreover, the list of side effects associated with using Cannabidiol is significantly shorter. All this creates positive prospects for using CBD to treat children with epilepsy in the future.
However, to date, this type of treatment should not be used. The lack of validated data on the long-term outcomes of CBD use creates several barriers to adding this substance to the list of options for treating epilepsy. Additionally, the effects of Cannabidiol on cognitive function and child development require further investigation. Moreover, legislative intervention is needed since, from a legal perspective, CBD use in pediatric patients is somewhat controversial. Thus, at present, Cannabidiol is not recommended for treating epilepsy in children.
Recommendations
Based on a comprehensive analysis of the problem, several recommendations for health education tailored to the pediatric population can be provided. First, a more thorough study of epilepsy and treatment options is needed. It includes information about the specifics of epilepsy, its causes, manifestations, and impact on a person’s life.
Additionally, it is crucial to comprehend how attacks occur and what measures can be taken to mitigate them. At the same time, an essential topic for detailed study is the possibility of drug treatment of epilepsy, as well as various types of therapy used to reduce the severity of symptoms and alleviate the condition of patients. It is essential to focus on treating epilepsy in children, as it is different from what is used in adults.
Furthermore, it is vital to develop family-centered strategies for interacting with the child’s official representatives. These include conducting one-to-one or group sessions that involve both the child with epilepsy and family members, and the use of visual aids to improve understanding of seizure types, triggers, and first aid. Moreover, it is essential to encourage family members to be actively involved by asking questions, sharing their experiences, expressing concerns, and providing access to all the materials they need to study the issue thoroughly.
Second, an educational program dedicated to studying Cannabidiol as a treatment option for epilepsy must be developed. It includes topics such as defining CBD and its impact on the patient’s condition, as well as providing information about possible benefits and risks. It is essential to analyze existing research in this area, particularly concerning the most problematic aspects of this issue, such as the validity of use and the long-term impact of features.
Additionally, assessing legal consequences is also an essential topic in the educational process. When working with families, the potential risks and benefits of using CBD to treat epilepsy in children need to be identified to implement this recommendation. Special consultations should be arranged with highly specialized healthcare providers to discuss the use of CBD for treatment. It will help provide a deeper understanding of the problem for parents and contribute to the optimal decision regarding the child’s treatment.
Conclusion
Hence, today, there are not enough studies to support the positive effects of using CBD to treat children with epilepsy. Therefore, Cannabidiol should not be used in pediatrics. However, existing studies demonstrate that this substance has the potential to impact treatment outcomes positively. It reduces the frequency and severity of seizures and has fewer side effects than drug treatment. Therefore, CBD has excellent potential for efficacy in the treatment of pediatric epilepsy, but only if more research is done.
References
Ben-Zeev, B. (2020). Medical Cannabis for intractable epilepsy in childhood: A review. Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal, 11(1), 1-8.
Cherry, K. (2022). Erikson’s stages of development. Verywell Mind.
Erridge, S., Holvey, C., Coomber, R., Hoare, J., Khan, S., Platt, M. W., & Sodergren, M. H. (2023). Clinical outcome data of children treated with cannabis-based medicinal products for treatment resistant epilepsy: Analysis from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. Neuropediatrics, 54, 174-181.
Johnson, F. M. (n.d.). The nursing metaparadigm. LibreTextsMedicine.
Raucci, U., Pietrafusa, N., Paolino, M. C., Di Nardo, G., Villa, M. P., Pavone, P., Terrin, G., Specchio, N., Striano, P., & Parisi, P. (2020). Cannabidiol treatment for refractory epilepsies in pediatrics. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11, 1-10.