Paediatrician ‘in stunned disbelief’ over Bean’s claim

Paediatricians have expressed concern and dismay over comments made by Opposition leader Marc Bean in the House of Assembly.

Mr Bean suggested, during a debate about cannabis reform, that he had cured his three-year-old daughter’s asthma by giving her ‘ganja’ tea.

But his comments have alarmed experts who treat the condition.

Paediatrician Dr Peter Perinchief said: “After hearing Mr Bean’s comments, I was in stunned disbelief.

“Firstly, it is very difficult to make a definitive diagnosis of asthma in a three-year-old child, which begs the question whether this was indeed asthma that the young girl had.

“A lot of children wheeze but that does not mean they have asthma. There is absolutely no known curative medical effect of marijuana on asthma so this would be entirely anecdotal.

“And as a pediatrician I think it is unconscionable for a parent to give something like this to their three-year-old child.”

Fellow paediatrician Bente Lundh, who specializes in mental health disorders, added: “There is no such thing as a cure for asthma.

“I would therefore not agree with the statements made.”

Asked about the purported link between generational cannabis use and schizophrenia in children, Dr Lundh said: “There has been a lot of research done on the link between cannabis and schizophrenia, looking at whether cannabis is a trigger for people with a disposition to the disorder.

“But when it comes to young children, it is so difficult to conduct controlled research.

“Most of the research has focused on adolescents and adults who have smoked cannabis rather than the second-hand effects on younger children.”

Liz Boden, founder of the charity Open Airways, expressed “extreme concern” over Mr Bean’s comments.

Mrs Boden said there are no evidence-based studies demonstrating that there is a cure for asthma.

Asthma can be life-threatening

She added: “Asthma can be controlled by avoiding triggers and taking preventative medication as prescribed by a doctor.

“Open Airways strongly urges people to consult their doctor before trying any alternative remedies and certainly before giving up prescribed medication. Asthma can be life-threatening if not correctly treated.

“Asthma is a long-term, variable disease, which may come and go throughout a lifetime.

“As many as 50% of pre-school children cough and wheeze whenever they have a cold. Many of these children may not have asthma but simply have tiny, underdeveloped airways at a young age.

“In Bermuda one in five school-aged children have been diagnosed with asthma, which can be treated effectively with prescribed medications.”

We reached out to Marc Bean for comment and he said he would talk to us later this week. 

For more information about asthma contact Open Airways on 232 0264 or e-mail [email protected] or consult your physician.Useful website:
www.openairways.com