Prenatal Cannabis Exposure Not Linked to Neurodevelopmental Deficits

Newly published data suggest that People who experience cannabis exposure before birth may not suffer from neurodevelopmental disorders later in life.

The researchers, from Columbia University, announced their findings this month. Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, They examined a cohort of 2,868 children born between 1989 and 1992.

“Children whose mothers provided information about marijuana use during pregnancy were also included. The primary outcome was the Clinical Assessment of Language Foundations (CELF) at age 10 years. (PPVT), Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), McCarron Neuromuscular Development Assessment (MAND), Color Progressive Matrix (CPM), Symbol Digit Modality Test (SDMT), Autism Spectrum Index (AQ) score,” the researchers wrote. “Exposed and unexposed children were matched by propensity score using optimal perfect matching. Missing covariate data were imputed using multiple imputation. Censored weighted inverse probability (IPCW) was used to adjust the outcome data for exposed and unexposed children by linear regression within the matched set adjusted by IPCW. Differences were assessed.As a secondary analysis, the risk of clinical deficit in each of the following outcomes was assessed by modified Poisson regression adjusted by concordance weights and IPCW. [prenatal cannabis exposure]”

Detailing the results, the researchers said, “Of the 2,804 children in this cohort, 285 (10.2%) [prenatal cannabis exposure]. After optimal perfect matching, [inverse probability of censoring weighting]exposed children scored similar [Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals]They wrote, adding that prenatal cannabis exposure “was not associated with risk of secondary outcomes or clinical deficits in any neuropsychological assessment.”

“After adjusting for socio-demographic and clinical covariates, [prenatal cannabis exposure] It was not associated with worse neuropsychological test scores at age 10 or with autistic features at age 19-20,” they wrote in their conclusions.

Cannabis Reform Organization NORML advertised the resultsnoted that “the study’s findings are consistent with several previous cohort studies that have evaluated long-term health effects associated with intrauterine cannabis exposure.”

According to NORML, A 2017 review of these previous studies found that “the evidence for the effects of cannabis use during pregnancy on maternal and child health is stronger than for many other substances.” …there is a theoretical possibility that cannabis interferes with neurodevelopment, but human data extracted from four prospective cohorts show no long-term or long-term implications between children exposed to cannabis in utero and those who were not. No differences have been identified. “

With cannabis laws changing rapidly in the United States, studies like the one published this month will be very important.

Last year, an alarming trend emerged in Alabama, with pregnant women in the state jailed for smoking marijuana.

Outlets spotted by AL.com One such case involved Ashley Banks, a 23-year-old woman who was arrested last spring “without a license to possess a small amount of marijuana and a handgun.”

“Under normal circumstances, the 23-year-old from Gadsden could have been released on bail until a criminal trial,” it reported last year. “But Banks admitted that she smoked cannabis the same day she found out she was pregnant, two days before her arrest. and she was at a loss for three months.”

Washington Post report At the time, Etowah County said, “Any pregnant or postpartum woman charged with drug-endangering her fetus will be evaluated to see if her condition is right for her until she completes a drug treatment program.” You must remain in prison without being caught.”