Pediatric Care

What is pediatric care? Pediatrics is actually a branch of medicine specifically dedicated to infants (under one), children, and adolescents (aged ten to 19). Though pediatricians will handle annual checkups, vaccines, and monitor their growth, they can also look after more mild to severe diagnoses. This can 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 the second leading cause of death among children in Costa Rica, with accidents being the first. The most common types of cancer leading to these unfortunate deaths are brain cancer, leukemia, and bone cancer. Additionally, it is estimated that one in 30 children in Costa Rica are born with a birth defect. Furthermore, it is reported that approximately one in 100 children aged 5 to 17 are 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, can 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 Costa Rica 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 can 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 can actually 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.