Cannabidiol May Help Reduce Seizures in Children with DEEs

Source: Seizure

Summary

Researchers studied the use of cannabidiol, a compound found in cannabis, in children with developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs). DEEs are rare and serious conditions that cause difficult-to-treat seizures and developmental delays. The study reviewed 14 different research papers that included a total of 682 children, looking at how effective and safe cannabidiol was for these young patients.

The findings showed that cannabidiol helped reduce seizure frequency by at least 50% in more than 20% of the children in most of the studies. While many children experienced some side effects, such as tiredness, loss of appetite, and mild digestive issues, these were mostly manageable and went away on their own. Overall, cannabidiol was generally well tolerated and showed promise in helping children with DEEs who did not respond to other medications.

This research is important because it suggests that cannabidiol could be a helpful option for children with DEEs, who often struggle with severe seizures and limited treatment choices. However, the studies had some limitations, such as varying designs and a focus on short-term effects. More research is needed to understand the long-term benefits and risks of using cannabidiol in these children, including how it affects their development and quality of life.

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