Prenatal marijuana use: epidemiology, methodologic issues, and infant outcome.

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Perinatal Studies
• Substance Use Research

Background:

• Marijuana is the most frequently used illicit drug and commonly used substance during pregnancy.
• Characteristics of women using marijuana vary, with some discontinuing use during pregnancy.
• The prevalence and patterns of marijuana use among women of reproductive age require further understanding.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on marijuana use in women of reproductive age and during pregnancy.
• To synthesize findings on the effects of prenatal marijuana exposure on infant outcomes.
• To identify gaps in research regarding marijuana's impact on fetal development and neonatal health.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of existing literature on marijuana use and pregnancy.
• Analysis of prospective and retrospective studies examining prenatal marijuana exposure.
• Evaluation of studies on birth outcomes, infant growth, and neurobehavioral assessments.

Main Results:

• Research on marijuana's effect on birth weight and infant growth yields equivocal results.
• Studies on gestational age and morphologic abnormalities show inconsistent findings.
• Neurobehavioral outcomes in infants exposed to marijuana prenatally are contradictory across studies.

Conclusions:

• The impact of marijuana use during pregnancy on fetal development and infant outcomes is not definitively established.
• Inconsistent findings highlight the need for more rigorous research, controlling for confounding factors.
• Further investigation is crucial to understand the risks associated with prenatal marijuana exposure.