Cannabis is the illicit drug most widely used by women of reproductive age in Australia, but the effects of its use during pregnancy on neonatal outcomes are unclear.
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether cannabis use during pregnancy is associated with adverse neonatal outcomes that are independent of cigarette smoking.
This study found continued use of cannabis at 15 weeks of pregnancy was associated with significantly lower birthweight, head circumference, birth length, and gestational age at birth, as well as with more frequent severe neonatal morbidity or death.
This provides evidence for the negative impact of cannabis use by pregnant women on important neonatal outcomes, and that this impact is independent of tobacco use.
Access the research paper - The deleterious effects of cannabis during pregnancy on neonatal outcomes
