Parental Perceptions and Practices Regarding Pain Management and Medical Marijuana Use in Patients With Sickle Cell Disease.

This article focuses on parental strategies for managing vaso-occlusive pain crises at home in children with sickle cell disease and their attitudes toward medical marijuana as a potential adjunct therapy. A survey of 46 parents, predominantly of Black children with sickle cell anemia, found that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were the most commonly used home treatment, while opioid use was limited due to fears of addiction and side effects. Although over half of the parents were not very knowledgeable about medical marijuana, nearly 60% expressed some willingness to consider it for pain management, especially for older children, but significant concerns remained regarding addiction, recreational use, social stigma, and legal implications. The study highlights the need for further research on alternative pain therapies and emphasizes the importance of addressing social and racial disparities that may influence treatment acceptance.