Hunziker, Sandra; Morosoli, Federico; Zuercher, Kathrin; Tscherter, Anne; Grunt, Sebastian (2023). Prescription Practices of Cannabinoids in Children with Cerebral Palsy Worldwide—A Survey of the Swiss Cerebral Palsy Registry. Children, 10(12), p. 1838. MDPI 10.3390/children10121838
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Cannabinoids are prescribed to children with cerebral palsy despite limited evidence. We
aimed to assess cannabinoid prescribing practices in children with cerebral palsy, focusing on indications,
types of preparations used, and tolerability. Furthermore, we investigated how physicians
acquire knowledge about cannabinoid medication. We asked physicians with expertise in the care of
children with cerebral palsy about their prescribing practices for cannabinoids. Data were collected
through an online survey, which was distributed by email. In addition to the demographic information
of participants, we also inquired about the indications for the prescription of cannabinoids,
experiences regarding efficacy, and observed side effects of the therapy. Seventy physicians from Europe,
North America, and Australia completed the survey. Forty-seven participants were experienced
in treating of children with cerebral palsy with cannabinoids. The most common indication was
epilepsy (69%), followed by spasticity (64%) and pain (63%). The preparations and doses prescribed
varied considerably. Half of the participants evaluated the effect of the cannabinoids as moderate.
Twenty-nine physicians reported side effects, most frequently, drowsiness (26%), somnolence (19%),
fatigue (13%), and diarrhea (13%). Despite the lack of evidence to date, cannabinoids are used to treat
children with cerebral palsy in a wide variety of indications. Randomized controlled trials in this
vulnerable patient group are therefore of utmost importance.
Item Type: |
Journal Article (Original Article) |
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Division/Institute: |
04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Gynaecology, Paediatrics and Endocrinology (DFKE) > Clinic of Paediatric Medicine 04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Gynaecology, Paediatrics and Endocrinology (DFKE) > Clinic of Paediatric Medicine > Neuropaediatrics 04 Faculty of Medicine > Pre-clinic Human Medicine > Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM) |
UniBE Contributor: |
Hunziker, Sandra Marlies, Zürcher, Kathrin, Tscherter, Anne, Grunt, Sebastian |
Subjects: |
600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health 300 Social sciences, sociology & anthropology > 360 Social problems & social services |
ISSN: |
2227-9067 |
Publisher: |
MDPI |
Language: |
English |
Submitter: |
Doris Kopp Heim |
Date Deposited: |
01 Dec 2023 10:25 |
Last Modified: |
08 Jan 2024 14:37 |
Publisher DOI: |
10.3390/children10121838 |
BORIS DOI: |
10.48350/189735 |
URI: |
https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/189735 |
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