Newswise — As the recreational use of cannabis becomes more prevalent, perspectives on the substance have shifted. For instance, studies indicate that dispensaries frequently suggest cannabis, also known as marijuana, to expectant mothers as a means to alleviate pregnancy symptoms, particularly morning sickness.
An expanding corpus of literature validates adverse outcomes for children when cannabinoids are consumed during pregnancy. Nevertheless, the precise ramifications on the developing fetus remain ambiguous. Researchers in the United States have undertaken an examination to elucidate the influence of the timing of cannabis exposure during pregnancy on fetal development.
"Even with marijuana use limited to the first trimester of pregnancy, we demonstrate a noteworthy average reduction in birth weight of over 150g," revealed Dr. Beth Bailey, a professor and director of population health research at Central Michigan University. Dr. Bailey, who serves as the senior author of the study published in Frontiers in Pediatrics, added, "Furthermore, if marijuana use persisted into the second trimester, a significant decrease in newborn head circumference was observed."
Continued exposure results in largest deficiencies
Dr. Phoebe Dodge, the study's first author and a recent graduate of the Central Michigan University College of Medicine, emphasized the significance of these findings by stating, "These findings carry vital implications, as newborn size serves as a robust indicator of future child health and development." Dr. Dodge will soon commence her pediatric residency at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland.
Recent investigations, such as the study conducted by Dodge et al., have provided compelling evidence regarding the substantial impact of cannabis use on newborn size. "The most pronounced deficits in size were observed among infants exposed to marijuana throughout the entire gestational period," elucidated Bailey. Infants exposed to cannabis throughout pregnancy exhibited a reduction in birth weight of approximately 200g and a decrease in head circumference of nearly 1cm compared to non-exposed infants. However, this particular study did not find a significant association between pregnancy cannabis use and newborn length.
The observed effects in the study have not only provided insight into the consequences but also shed light on usage patterns. The research revealed that even occasional use, such as for managing first-trimester morning sickness, can lead to reduced fetal growth similar to the effects seen with continued cannabis use throughout pregnancy. This finding also holds true for instances where individuals unknowingly use cannabis during early stages of pregnancy.
Quitting before pregnancy is best recommendation
The authors of the study acknowledged a limitation in their research, highlighting that they lacked specific information regarding the quantity and frequency of cannabis use among participants. Consequently, their results were based solely on whether individuals did or did not use cannabis during specific periods of pregnancy. As a result, the study was unable to establish a direct correlation between heavy cannabis use and more pronounced outcomes in newborn growth.
The authors emphasized the need for further studies to discern whether the timing or quantity of cannabis use holds greater significance in terms of its impact on newborn size. Additional research is required to investigate and establish which factor, timing or amount of use, plays a more prominent role in determining the effects on newborn growth.
Dr. Dodge emphasized the optimal recommendation, stating, "The best course of action is for women to be advised to cease marijuana use prior to conception." However, if one has already become pregnant, the second-best option is to quit as soon as possible in order to mitigate potential long-term adverse health and developmental consequences. Dr. Dodge also pointed out that there are notable benefits associated with quitting marijuana use among individuals who had initially used it during pregnancy.
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