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High-Potency Prenatal Cannabis Exposure and Birth Outcome Measures
Natalia M Kleinhans1,2,3, Allegra J Johnson1,2, Sarah F Larsen1,2
1Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
Children (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 8, 2025
Summary
Prenatal cannabis exposure (PCE) in low-risk pregnancies is linked to lower birth weight and shorter length. Effects on head circumference may differ between sexes, suggesting further research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Perinatal Health
- Cannabinoid Research
Background:
- Limited data exists on the isolated impact of prenatal cannabis exposure (PCE) on birth outcomes.
- Understanding PCE's effects is crucial for maternal and child health guidance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between PCE, excluding other substance use, and birth outcomes in low-risk pregnancies.
- To determine if PCE impacts gestational age, birth weight, length, head circumference, and Apgar scores.
Main Methods:
- An observational cohort study involving 72 pregnant women (37 PCE, 35 controls) from 2019-2022.
- PCE defined as ≥3 days/week cannabis use in the first trimester; controls had no substance use verified by toxicology.
- Cannabis use quantified by delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) mg/day; birth outcomes measured postnatally.
Main Results:
- PCE newborns exhibited significantly lower birth weight (38th vs. 52nd percentile, p=0.04) and shorter length (40th vs. 55th percentile, p=0.03) for gestational age.
- Female PCE newborns had smaller head circumference for gestational age compared to males (28th vs. 55th percentile, p=0.02).
Conclusions:
- Prenatal cannabis exposure is associated with reduced birth weight and length in newborns.
- The impact of PCE on brain development may be sex-dependent, warranting inclusion of sex as a biological variable in future studies.
