Two brothers, ages three and five, were hospitalized at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem after suffering severe poisoning from candies containing THC and CBD, active compounds found in cannabis.
The children were brought to the hospital’s pediatric emergency department suffering from dizziness, confusion, blurred vision, and difficulty walking steadily. A comprehensive examination by the department’s medical and nursing staff found that the children had suffered severe poisoning after eating the cannabis candies.
Upon their arrival, Sarah Hefter, a nurse in the department, ensured that the children were monitored and received immediate medical treatment.
“After speaking with the family, it became clear that each of the children ate two candies, and according to the packaging, each candy contained 20 mg. of THC and 10 mg. of CBD,” said Dr. Mohammed Hamed, a resident in the pediatric department.
“The children suffered severe poisoning as a result of exposure to the substances, particularly the three-year-old brother, who weighs less,” said Dr. Amir Fischer, a senior physician in the pediatric emergency department, headed by Dr. Giora Weiser.
Hospitalized at an early stage, no severe symptoms due to dosage
“In most cases of poisoning, the main symptoms involve the central nervous system, including blurred awareness, unsteady walking, and changes in heart rate. There are also other, more serious but rarer effects, including seizures, respiratory failure or respiratory depression, and even coma.
“There is no antidote in cases of this kind that reduces the effect of the toxic substance, so treatment is mainly supportive when no additional intervention is required. Fortunately, the children reached us at an early stage and without severe symptoms. If they had eaten additional candies, their lives could have been in danger,” Fischer said.
The brothers were hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care unit, headed by Dr. Jacques Braun, for monitoring and observation. After approximately 24 hours, with no deterioration in their symptoms, they were discharged home in good condition.
“We occasionally treat cases of poisoning from various sources, but exposure to such a dose of psychoactive substances is relatively rare,” said Talia Chernosvitov, deputy head nurse in the pediatric emergency department.
“I tell all parents: Children are curious, and they will not necessarily know how to distinguish between an ordinary piece of candy and a toxic product that could be life-threatening. Watch them and keep products and substances that could endanger their health out of their reach.”