Pediatric Care

Though paediatricians will handle annual checkups and vaccines and monitor their growth, they also look after more mild to severe diagnoses. This could include care for patients who are chronically ill (different cancers) or have other mental or physical diagnoses, like:

• Allergies
• Anxiety
• Asthma
• Autism
• Birth defects
• Bladder problems
• Bone disorders
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Dyslexia
• Epilepsy
• Heart disease
• Insomnia
• Parasitic diseases
• Skin disorders
• Tumors

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death among children in Canada. The most common types of cancer leading to these unfortunate deaths are brain cancer, leukaemia, and bone cancer. Additionally, it is estimated that around one in 25 children in Canada is born with a birth defect. Furthermore, it is reported that approximately one in 50 children aged 5 to 17 is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in the country.

In August 2018, researchers at the Hospital for SickKids in Toronto established a safe dosage of both THC and CBD oil for children suffering from frequent seizures or Dravet syndrome (type of epilepsy with seizures). Dravet syndrome, although rare, might begin in infants as young as six months and about ten to 20% of patients will pass away from it, not getting the chance to experience adulthood.

Not only do the patients suffer from their diagnosis, but so do the parents. This is why the first cannabis study ever conducted in Canada for children has been so significant. The study concluded that the dosage administered was safe and also improved the overall quality of life for children by reducing the frequency of seizures. Some children even experienced seizure-free days. Cannabis oil is also a natural option and tends to have fewer side effects compared to other pharmaceuticals that children may be prescribed.

When medical marijuana enters our body, it positively reacts with our cell receptors and serotonin levels in our brain that control our mind and body. This includes how we think, feel, move, etc. Low serotonin levels are associated with depression, mood swings, nausea, and more. Depression or nausea could be accompanied by being treated for cancer, or diabetes, or heart disease, and like mentioned above, it’s hard both knowing, and watching your child suffer.

But when medical marijuana is administered, it could increase low serotonin levels and not only improve seizures, but help with nausea and keeping on weight, improve depression or mood swings, improve problems with the bladder/incontinence, decrease levels of anxiety, and help improve poor sleeping patterns.