Pregnancy Cannabis Use Tied to Premature Birth, Low Birth Weight
- A new study states that the use of cannabis during pregnancy can lead to adverse outcomes for newborns, such as premature birth, low birth weight, and an increased chance of needing time in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
- The research, published in the scientific journal Addiction, analyzed 57 studies conducted between 1984 and 2023, involving over 12 million babies, out of which, 102,835 were exposed to cannabis during pregnancy. The study found that pregnant people using cannabis were 1.5 times more likely to have a preterm delivery and more than twice as likely to have a low-weight baby or a baby needing NICU care.
- The National Institutes of Health mentions that cannabis is the most frequently used illicit drug during pregnancy, and the American Academy of Pediatrics advises against the use of marijuana during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to the potential risks to both the mother and baby.
Cannabis Use in Pregnancy May Lead to Adverse Birth Outcomes
Contrary to certain beliefs, the use of cannabis during pregnancy might not be harmless. Recent research indicates a potential link between cannabis use during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes, such as premature birth, low birth weight, and increased need for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) care.
The rising global trend of cannabis use among women, including pregnant women, is concerning due to THC, the principal psychoactive component in cannabis. THC can pass from mother to fetus, binding to receptors in the fetal brain. This study further reveals that prenatal cannabis exposure increases the risk of several adverse birth outcomes.
Published in the scientific journal Addiction, the study examined 57 studies from 1984 to 2023 involving over 12 million babies, 102,835 of which were exposed to cannabis during pregnancy.
Of these, 20 studies revealed that pregnant individuals using cannabis had a 1.5 times higher chance of premature delivery. Likewise, 18 studies indicated that cannabis users were twice as likely to deliver a low-weight baby. Furthermore, 10 studies showed that babies exposed to cannabis were twice as likely to require NICU care compared to non-exposed babies.
The National Institutes of Health notes that cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug during pregnancy. The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly advises against marijuana use during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to potential risks it poses to both mother and baby.
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