Marijuana

QUICK FACTS:

• The impact of marijuana use in pregnancy on the baby is poorly understood. More studies are warranted. 

• There is some limited data suggesting marijuana can affect the babies growth and brain development, but the data is conflicting.

POSSIBLE RISKS: 

Growth Related Issues

• Some evidence of decreased birth weight or small for gestational age1-3

• Some evidence of preterm birth, complications during delivery, and the need for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) care2

• Some studies found that after adjusting for confounding variables, there was no association between marijuana use in pregnancy and adverse outcomes for the baby4

Brain Development 

• Some limited evidence of increased rates of autism and intellectual disability in babies that were exposed to marijuana in utero5

• Some evidence of a negative effect on brain development including6-16:

  • Attention

  • Visuospacial function

  • Hyperactivity

  • Problem solving

*The bottom line is that the impact of marijuana exposure in utero is not clear, so the guidelines continue to recommend avoidance of marijauna use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

• Signs that your baby is not growing adequately 

• Signs of autism or intellectual disability 

WHAT TO DO: 

• Talk to your pediatrician about any concerns you have about your child’s development.
  
  

1. Gunn JK, Rosales CB, Center KE, Nuñez A, Gibson SJ, Christ C, Ehiri JE. Prenatal exposure to cannabis and maternal and child health outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2016 Apr 5;6(4):e009986. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009986. PMID: 27048634; PMCID: PMC4823436.
2. Corsi DJ, Walsh L, Weiss D, Hsu H, El-Chaar D, Hawken S, Fell DB, Walker M. Association Between Self-reported Prenatal Cannabis Use and Maternal, Perinatal, and Neonatal Outcomes. JAMA. 2019 Jul 9;322(2):145-152. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.8734. PMID: 31211826; PMCID: PMC6582262.
3. Kharbanda EO, Vazquez-Benitez G, Kunin-Batson A, Nordin JD, Olsen A, Romitti PA. Birth and early developmental screening outcomes associated with cannabis exposure during pregnancy. J Perinatol. 2020 Mar;40(3):473-480. doi: 10.1038/s41372-019-0576-6. Epub 2020 Jan 7. PMID: 31911642; PMCID: PMC7047636.
4. Conner SN, Bedell V, Lipsey K, Macones GA, Cahill AG, Tuuli MG. Maternal Marijuana Use and Adverse Neonatal Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Obstet Gynecol. 2016 Oct;128(4):713-723. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000001649. PMID: 27607879.
5. Corsi DJ, Donelle J, Sucha E, Hawken S, Hsu H, El-Chaâr D, Bisnaire L, Fell D, Wen SW, Walker M. Maternal cannabis use in pregnancy and child neurodevelopmental outcomes. Nat Med. 2020 Oct;26(10):1536-1540. doi: 10.1038/s41591-020-1002-5. Epub 2020 Aug 10. PMID: 32778828.
6. Grant KS, Petroff R, Isoherranen N, Stella N, Burbacher TM. Cannabis use during pregnancy: Pharmacokinetics and effects on child development. Pharmacol Ther. 2018 Feb;182:133-151. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2017.08.014. Epub 2017 Aug 25. PMID: 28847562; PMCID: PMC6211194.
7. Fried PA, Watkinson B, Gray R. Differential effects on cognitive functioning in 9- to 12-year olds prenatally exposed to cigarettes and marihuana. Neurotoxicol Teratol. 1998 May-Jun;20(3):293-306. doi: 10.1016/s0892-0362(97)00091-3. PMID: 9638687.
8. Fried PA, Watkinson B, Gray R. Differential effects on cognitive functioning in 13- to 16-year-olds prenatally exposed to cigarettes and marihuana. Neurotoxicol Teratol. 2003 Jul-Aug;25(4):427-36. doi: 10.1016/s0892-0362(03)00029-1. PMID: 12798960.
9. Fried PA, Watkinson B. Differential effects on facets of attention in adolescents prenatally exposed to cigarettes and marihuana. Neurotoxicol Teratol. 2001 Sep-Oct;23(5):421-30. doi: 10.1016/s0892-0362(01)00160-x. PMID: 11711244.
10. Fried PA, Watkinson B, Siegel LS. Reading and language in 9- to 12-year olds prenatally exposed to cigarettes and marijuana. Neurotoxicol Teratol. 1997 May-Jun;19(3):171-83. doi: 10.1016/s0892-0362(97)00015-9. PMID: 9200137.
11. Huizink AC, Mulder EJ. Maternal smoking, drinking or cannabis use during pregnancy and neurobehavioral and cognitive functioning in human offspring. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2006;30(1):24-41. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2005.04.005. Epub 2005 Aug 10. PMID: 16095697.
12. Leech SL, Richardson GA, Goldschmidt L, Day NL. Prenatal substance exposure: effects on attention and impulsivity of 6-year-olds. Neurotoxicol Teratol. 1999 Mar-Apr;21(2):109-18. doi: 10.1016/s0892-0362(98)00042-7. PMID: 10192271.
13. Day NL, Leech SL, Goldschmidt L. The effects of prenatal marijuana exposure on delinquent behaviors are mediated by measures of neurocognitive functioning. Neurotoxicol Teratol. 2011 Jan-Feb;33(1):129-36. doi: 10.1016/j.ntt.2010.07.006. PMID: 21256427; PMCID: PMC3052937.
14. Leech SL, Larkby CA, Day R, Day NL. Predictors and correlates of high levels of depression and anxiety symptoms among children at age 10. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2006 Feb;45(2):223-230. doi: 10.1097/01.chi.0000184930.18552.4d. PMID: 16429093.
15. Huizink AC. Prenatal cannabis exposure and infant outcomes: overview of studies. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2014 Jul 3;52:45-52. doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2013.09.014. Epub 2013 Sep 27. PMID: 24075896.
16. Paul SE, Hatoum AS, Fine JD, Johnson EC, Hansen I, Karcher NR, Moreau AL, Bondy E, Qu Y, Carter EB, Rogers CE, Agrawal A, Barch DM, Bogdan R. Associations Between Prenatal Cannabis Exposure and Childhood Outcomes: Results From the ABCD Study. JAMA Psychiatry. 2021 Jan 1;78(1):64-76. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.2902. PMID: 32965490; PMCID: PMC7512132.