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Behavioral and Cognitive Differences in Early Childhood related to Prenatal Marijuana Exposure

Aaron W Murnan1, Sarah A Keim1,2,3, Keith Owen Yeates4

  • 1Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Childrens Drive, Columbus, Ohio, USA, 43215.

Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology
|November 29, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal marijuana exposure (PME) is linked to behavioral issues like aggression in 3.5-year-olds. However, executive functions were not significantly affected by early marijuana exposure.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Prenatal marijuana exposure (PME) is a growing concern due to increasing marijuana potency.
  • Existing research on PME's developmental impact often lacks data from early childhood and modern cannabis strains.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the early developmental and behavioral effects of prenatal marijuana exposure (PME) in young children.
  • To assess executive function, visual-spatial ability, emotion regulation, and aggressive behaviors in children exposed prenatally to marijuana.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective prenatal cohort study in Columbus, Ohio.
  • PME assessed via maternal self-report, medical records, and urine toxicology.
  • 3.5-year-old children (n=63) underwent cognitive and behavioral assessments; caregivers provided additional reports.

Main Results:

  • Children with PME exhibited more sleep problems, withdrawal symptoms, and externalizing behaviors, including aggression and oppositional defiance.
  • No significant differences in executive functioning were observed between PME-exposed and non-exposed children.
  • Behavioral issues associated with PME appear to manifest by age 3.5 years.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal marijuana exposure is associated with significant behavioral problems in early childhood.
  • Early identification of these behavioral issues is crucial for intervention.
  • Further research is needed to understand long-term impacts and underlying mechanisms.

Keywords:
aggressioncannabischild developmentexecutive functionmarijuana

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