A narrative review consolidates evidence that prenatal cannabis exposure affects not just neurodevelopment but also cardiovascular, metabolic, gastrointestinal, and growth outcomes in offspring.
Clinicians counseling pregnant patients, researchers studying prenatal exposures, and anyone interested in cannabis effects on fetal development.
Over 40% of adults aged 19-30 used cannabis in the past year
What the researchers found
Beyond the well-documented cognitive and neurodevelopmental effects, prenatal cannabis exposure is associated with fetal growth restriction, altered cardiovascular development, hematologic changes, gastrointestinal effects, and increased long-term risk for obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Even early or brief exposure during pregnancy showed associations with adverse outcomes.
Why it matters
With over 40% of adults aged 19-30 using cannabis in the past year and rising use among pregnant women, understanding the full scope of prenatal exposure risks is critical.
The numbers in context
Over 40% of adults aged 19-30 reported past-year cannabis use. The review covers effects across at least 6 organ systems in offspring.
How the study worked
Narrative mini-review synthesizing evidence from animal/in vitro and human studies on prenatal cannabis exposure effects across multiple organ systems.
What this study cannot tell us
Narrative review format does not use systematic search methodology. Many included studies are preclinical. Human studies often cannot isolate cannabis from co-exposures like tobacco.
How to read the evidence
Draws on both preclinical and clinical evidence with clear conclusions, but narrative review format and reliance on observational human data limit certainty.
When this study was published
2025 review incorporating the latest evidence on prenatal cannabis exposure.
The bigger picture
Public perception of cannabis safety during pregnancy does not match the emerging evidence. The multi-system effects described here suggest prenatal cannabis exposure may program long-term metabolic and cardiovascular risk.
Questions still open
- What is the threshold dose of prenatal cannabis that produces measurable effects?
- Do different cannabis products carry different prenatal risks?
Common questions
Is cannabis safe during pregnancy?
Does prenatal cannabis only affect brain development?
Read the original research
The changing landscape of cannabis use: impact on maternal health and neonatal outcomes.
Pediatric research
Citation
Krishnan, Parvathy; Yen, Elizabeth. (2025). The changing landscape of cannabis use: impact on maternal health and neonatal outcomes.. Pediatric research. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-025-04209-4
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