The use of cannabis during pregnancy has been attributed to poorer thinking and behavioral skills in children, both of which are key to academic and social success.
This is according to a new study conducted by researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital. The findings were published in JAMA Pediatrics.
The study used multiple assessments to determine the effects of prenatal cannabis use in children. These assessments included asking parents about their child's behavior and measuring skills related to impulse control and managing emotions. The research analyzed 250 preschool-aged kids.
Study on Cannabis Use During Pregnancy
The researchers found that children who had been exposed to cannabis in the womb were more likely to have difficulty controlling their impulses. Additionally, they also tended to display more aggressive behaviors than their peers. Furthermore, exposed children had poorer planning skills and struggled with paying attention.
"Our findings were not surprising – they actually confirm and expand on longstanding evidence from previous research," Dr. Sarah Keim, principal investigator in the Center for Biobehavioral Health at Nationwide Children's Hospital and a lead author of the study, said.
Read more: Consuming Caffeine Products During Pregnancy Will Not Cause ADHD in Children, a New Study Finds
The findings are similar to those from a 2021 study conducted by researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the City University of New York. In that study, researchers also linked the use of cannabis by pregnant women to higher anxiety levels in children compared to those born from mothers who did not use marijuana during pregnancy.
The 2021 study analyzed the placental tissue of 322 mother-child pairs in New York City. That said, researchers noted that they were unable to verify the use of cannabis by the mothers and only relied on the information the participants provided.
How Else Does Prenatal Cannabis Use Affect Children?
Apart from thinking and behavioral issues, a 2023 systemic review of related literature found that prenatal exposure to cannabis significantly increased the rates of anxiety and depression in children at the age of two.
Depression increased further at the age of 10 and was strongly associated with crime or delinquent behavior at the age of 14. It was noted that this instance was higher in children who had learning difficulties at the age of 10.
