Maternal Cannabis Exposure Linked to Placental Dysfunction-Related Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes.

A study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that maternal cannabis use during pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes related to placental dysfunction. These outcomes include small for gestational age (SGA), preterm birth, stillbirth, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Women who tested positive for cannabis use during pregnancy had a 27% increased risk of these complications compared to those who tested negative. The study also revealed that two-thirds of participants had ongoing cannabis exposure beyond the first trimester. The authors note that previous studies may have underestimated cannabis use during pregnancy, and that confounding factors such as nicotine use and medical conditions may also influence pregnancy outcomes. The researchers suggest further evaluation of cannabis consumption methods that do not involve inhalation and co-use with nicotine products to better understand the relationship between cannabis, nicotine, and fetal growth.