THE USE OF CANNABIDIOL (CBD) IN THE TREATMENT OF PEDIATRIC EPILEPSY: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/bocav25n77-004Keywords:
Cannabidiol, Pediatric Epilepsy, Drug-Resistant Epilepsy, Treatment, SafetyAbstract
Pediatric epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent seizures, with a significant impact on development and quality of life. Approximately 30% of patients do not respond adequately to conventional treatment, being classified as having drug-resistant epilepsy, which drives the search for new therapeutic approaches. In this context, cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound derived from Cannabis sativa, has emerged as a promising alternative. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of CBD in the treatment of pediatric epilepsy through an integrative literature review. The search was conducted in the PubMed, ScienceDirect, and LILACS databases, including studies published between 2019 and 2026. After applying the eligibility criteria, 20 articles were selected for analysis. The results demonstrate that CBD promotes a significant reduction in the frequency of epileptic seizures, especially in severe syndromes such as Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet. In most studies, more than 50% of patients showed a 50% or greater reduction in seizures, with some cases of complete remission. Furthermore, reductions of around 30% have already proven clinically relevant. Additional benefits included improved sleep, electroencephalographic activity, behavior, and quality of life. The safety profile was favorable, with mild to moderate adverse events such as drowsiness and gastrointestinal disturbances. It is concluded that CBD is an effective and safe alternative, although more studies are needed to evaluate its long-term effects.
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