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Maternal marijuana use during lactation and infant development at one year
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Neurotoxicology and Teratology
|March 1, 1990
Summary
Postnatal marijuana exposure through breast milk may negatively impact infant motor development. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in milk affects babies, with early exposure linked to poorer motor skills at one year.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurodevelopmental Science
- Toxicology
Background:
- Prenatal marijuana exposure is linked to adverse perinatal outcomes.
- Limited research exists on postnatal marijuana exposure's impact on infant development.
- Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from maternal marijuana use transfers to breast milk and is absorbed by nursing infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between infant exposure to marijuana via breast milk and infant motor and mental development at one year of age.
Main Methods:
- Assessed motor and mental development at one year in 136 breast-fed infants.
- Compared 68 marijuana-exposed infants with 68 matched controls (controlling for maternal alcohol and tobacco use).
Main Results:
- Infants exposed to marijuana via breast milk during the first postpartum month showed a decrease in motor development at one year.
- No specific findings on mental development were detailed in the provided abstract.
Conclusions:
- Postnatal marijuana exposure through breast milk may be associated with impaired infant motor development.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of cannabinoids on infant neurodevelopment.