Trend talk: Increasing THC ingestions in pediatric emergency departments

At the 2024 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference & Exhibition, Steven Selbst, MD, professor of pediatrics at Nemours Children’s Health in Wilmington, Delaware, and Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, highlighted a growing concern: the increasing number of accidental THC ingestions among children.

"One thing we're worried about is an increasing trend in accidental ingestions of THC. The numbers have gone up quite a bit. It's really a very high number," said Selbst. The increase in reported cases, particularly over the past few years, has been alarming. He noted that, previously, the Philadelphia Poison Center might have reported only a handful of cases. However, "Now there's hundreds of cases in 2023 reported," Selbst emphasized. This surge could be in part from the packaging of THC-infused gummies, which often resemble candy, making them appealing—and dangerous—for children.

The consequences of accidental ingestion can be severe. Selbst explained, "Somewhere between 4 and 15% of these kids are so obtunded that they need to go to the ICU and get endotracheal intubation." This highlights the potential life-threatening outcomes of what some parents might perceive as a benign product.

Selbst also pointed out the varying levels of awareness among parents. "Some well-meaning parents don't even realize how dangerous they are. Some parents are neglectful and leave them out for the children to get ingested," he said. Whether intentional or not, the accessibility of these products poses a significant risk to young children.

Pediatricians play a crucial role in addressing this issue. Selbst emphasized the importance of counseling families about the dangers of these products and providing practical safety advice. "Certainly, pediatricians can counsel families and make sure that they're not buying products that look like candy that's going to tempt a child to ingest that," he advised. Additionally, he stressed the need for parents who legally use THC products to be mindful of storage. "Make sure they keep these gummies away from children and don't leave them on the floor or leave them on the desk or the kitchen table for kids to get into," Selbst warned.

As the trend in accidental THC ingestions continues to rise, pediatricians and parents must work together to mitigate the risks and ensure that children are protected from accidental exposure, said Selbst.