Prenatal cannabis exposure may be linked to ADHD and mood symptoms in offspring, but research is limited
A systematic review found prenatal cannabis exposure may be associated with affective symptoms and ADHD in offspring, but the evidence base is limited and the topic under-researched.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Cannabis use among pregnant women is common (~5% or more), with risk factors including younger age, lower education, and concurrent tobacco/alcohol use. Prenatal cannabis exposure may be associated with affective symptoms and ADHD in children. However, the review found the topic has not been extensively researched despite increasing cannabis use during pregnancy, creating a gap between public behavior and scientific knowledge.
Key Numbers
At least 5% of pregnant women use cannabis; associated with affective symptoms and ADHD in offspring; risk factors: younger age, lower education, concurrent substance use.
How They Did This
Systematic review of PubMed through July 2018 for studies on maternal cannabis use and the relationship between prenatal exposure and developmental and psychiatric disorders, in English and Spanish.
Why This Research Matters
Cannabis is increasingly seen as "natural" and safe during pregnancy, yet the evidence on developmental consequences is sparse. This review highlights the disconnect between growing prenatal cannabis use and the limited evidence to guide pregnant women.
The Bigger Picture
As cannabis is legalized and destigmatized, prenatal use is likely increasing. The limited evidence base means clinical guidance is based largely on precaution. Robust prospective studies tracking neurodevelopment from prenatal exposure through childhood are urgently needed.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Limited number of studies meeting criteria; heterogeneous study designs; difficulty isolating cannabis effects from concurrent tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use; self-report of cannabis use during pregnancy likely underestimates true prevalence.
Questions This Raises
- ?Are specific trimesters more vulnerable to cannabis exposure?
- ?Does the cannabinoid type (THC vs CBD) matter for fetal neurodevelopment?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Prenatal cannabis linked to ADHD and mood symptoms; at least 5% of pregnancies exposed
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate: systematic methodology but limited by sparse and heterogeneous primary studies.
- Study Age:
- Published 2020.
- Original Title:
- Cannabis use during pregnancy and its relationship with fetal developmental outcomes and psychiatric disorders. A systematic review.
- Published In:
- Reproductive health, 17(1), 25 (2020)
- Authors:
- Roncero, Carlos(4), Valriberas-Herrero, Isabel, Mezzatesta-Gava, Marcela, Villegas, José L, Aguilar, Lourdes, Grau-López, Lara
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02805
Evidence Hierarchy
Analyzes all available research on a topic using a structured method.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Is cannabis safe during pregnancy?
This review found prenatal cannabis exposure may be associated with ADHD and affective symptoms in children. However, the evidence is limited, and the topic is under-researched. Given the uncertainty, the review emphasizes that clinicians should counsel women about potential risks.
How common is cannabis use during pregnancy?
At least 5% of pregnant women report using cannabis. Risk factors include younger age, lower education level, and concurrent tobacco or alcohol use. The true rate may be higher due to underreporting.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02805APA
Roncero, Carlos; Valriberas-Herrero, Isabel; Mezzatesta-Gava, Marcela; Villegas, José L; Aguilar, Lourdes; Grau-López, Lara. (2020). Cannabis use during pregnancy and its relationship with fetal developmental outcomes and psychiatric disorders. A systematic review.. Reproductive health, 17(1), 25. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-020-0880-9
MLA
Roncero, Carlos, et al. "Cannabis use during pregnancy and its relationship with fetal developmental outcomes and psychiatric disorders. A systematic review.." Reproductive health, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-020-0880-9
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis use during pregnancy and its relationship with feta..." RTHC-02805. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/roncero-2020-cannabis-use-during-pregnancy
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.