Evidence that cannabis use during pregnancy is risky for bubs is growing

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-05-06 01:00

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Evidence that using cannabis during pregnancy may increase the risk of several adverse birth outcomes is growing, according to an update of an international analysis. Researchers previously compiled studies looking at prenatal cannabis use, and have now added eight new studies including over 1.7 million participants, bringing the number of studies in the analysis to 51. The researchers say that, overall, the evidence suggests with moderate certainty that cannabis use in pregnancy is linked with a higher risk of preterm birth and the baby being born at a low birthweight or small for gestational age. The researchers say the new studies have strengthened the evidence of this link.

Media release

From: JAMA

Prenatal Cannabis Use and Neonatal Outcomes

About The Study: Cannabis use in pregnancy was associated with greater odds of preterm birth, small for gestational age, and low birth weight even after adjusting for co-use of tobacco products, and confidence in these findings increased from low in the prior review to moderate in the current meta-analysis. The findings of this study may help inform patient counseling and future public health policies.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Pediatrics

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Oregon Health and Science University, USA

Funder: This work is part of the Systematically Testing the Evidence on Marijuana (STEM) Project, funded by the Office of Rural Health, Veterans Health Administration, US Department of Veterans Affairs. Dr Lo is supported by grant DP1 DA056493 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health.

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