As cannabis becomes more accepted and legal in many areas, its effects on vulnerable populations, including pregnant individuals and their offspring, are under scrutiny. A recent study examined whether maternal cannabis use during early pregnancy might contribute to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and disruptive behavior disorders (DBD) in children.
Study overview
The study analyzed data from over 141,000 children and 117,000 pregnant individuals in Kaiser Permanente Northern California from 2011 to 2018. Cannabis use was identified through self-reports or positive toxicology tests taken at prenatal visits (8–10 weeks gestation). Researchers used various definitions of cannabis exposure and adjusted for maternal demographics, other substance use, and health factors to assess potential links to ADHD and DBD by age 11.
Key findings
Of the participants, 4.6% used cannabis during pregnancy, with most reporting infrequent use. By age 11, 7.7% of the children had ADHD, and 6.8% had DBD. The study found no increased risk of ADHD in children born to cannabis users and noted a slightly reduced risk of DBD when cannabis use was confirmed through toxicology tests.
Conclusion
The findings suggest that early prenatal cannabis use is not associated with higher ADHD or DBD risk in offspring. This research adds valuable insights, supporting informed decision-making and further investigation into cannabis use during pregnancy.