THC Found in Rising Number of Young Children in Postmortem Testing | Research

The takeaway

Postmortem testing of children under 10 showed THC positivity rates increased significantly from 2018-2024, with 86% of positive cases in children age 2 or younger and 31% in newborns or intrauterine deaths.

pediatricians, medical examiners, child welfare professionals, parents

What the researchers found

Among 17,512 postmortem pediatric blood cases, THC positivity rates increased significantly from 1.6% to 2.8% (LOD, p=0.0075) and 0.43% to 1.1% (LOQ, p=0.0057) between 2018-2024. Of positive cases: 86% were in children ≤2 years, 71% under 1 year, 65% ≤6 months, and 31% under 1 month or intrauterine demise. Cannabis was the only drug found in 49% of cases.

Why it matters

The finding that THC exposure is increasing in the youngest and most vulnerable population — infants and newborns — raises serious child safety and public health concerns as cannabis becomes more widely available in homes.

The numbers in context

17,512 postmortem cases. THC positivity: 1.6% to 2.8% (LOD, p=0.0075). 518 LC-MS/MS confirmed cases. 86% in children ≤2 years. 71% under 1 year. 65% ≤6 months. 31% under 1 month/intrauterine. Cannabis sole finding in 49%. Caffeine most common co-finding (26%).

How the study worked

Retrospective analysis of data from a large reference laboratory serving US medical examiners and coroners, 2018-2024. 17,512 postmortem blood cases screened by ELISA and/or confirmed by LC-MS/MS.

What this study cannot tell us

Postmortem cases represent the most extreme outcomes and do not reflect overall pediatric THC exposure rates. Cannot determine route of exposure (prenatal, ingestion, secondhand smoke). THC presence does not necessarily indicate cause of death.

How to read the evidence

Large reference lab dataset with objective toxicology testing, but postmortem population represents extreme cases and cannot determine causation.

When this study was published

2025 publication with 2018-2024 data.

The bigger picture

As cannabis legalization expands, the increased presence of cannabis products in homes creates exposure risks for young children. The high proportion of infants and newborns suggests both prenatal exposure and postnatal environmental exposure are significant concerns.

Questions still open

What are the primary routes of THC exposure in infants and newborns?
Does THC exposure contribute to infant mortality or is it an incidental finding?

Common questions

Are children being exposed to THC?

This study found increasing THC positivity rates in postmortem testing of children under 10 from 2018-2024. Most concerning, 86% of positive cases were in children age 2 or younger, and cannabis was the only drug detected in nearly half of cases.

How are infants exposed to THC?

This study could not determine the route of exposure, but the high proportion of cases in newborns and infants under 6 months suggests both prenatal maternal use and postnatal environmental exposure (secondhand smoke, accidental ingestion of edibles) are likely pathways.

Read the original research

Delta-9 THC detection in the young pediatric postmortem population: 2018-2024.

Child abuse & neglect, 170, 107763

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Swatek, Jennifer; Wang, George Sam; Labay, Laura. (2025). Delta-9 THC detection in the young pediatric postmortem population: 2018-2024.. Child abuse & neglect, 170, 107763. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2025.107763