Children of Mothers with Cannabis Use Disorder Have 79% Higher Risk of Anxiety Disorders | Research

The takeaway

In a study of 223,068 births in Australia, children prenatally exposed to maternal cannabis use disorder had a 79% higher risk of developing any anxiety disorder, with PTSD risk nearly 2.5 times higher.

obstetricians, pediatricians, child psychiatrists, pregnant women who use cannabis

What the researchers found

Offspring exposed to maternal CUD prenatally had 79% increased risk of any anxiety disorder (aRR 1.79), with specific increases for PTSD (aRR 2.46), GAD (aRR 2.18), and childhood anxiety disorders (aRR 1.91). Postnatal CUD exposure was also associated with increased anxiety (aRR 2.02) and PTSD (aRR 2.97). Findings held in mediation and propensity score matching analyses.

Why it matters

This is one of the largest studies linking maternal cannabis use disorder to specific anxiety disorder outcomes in children. The dose-response pattern (prenatal and postnatal exposure both matter) strengthens the case for targeted interventions during and after pregnancy.

The numbers in context

223,068 births. Prenatal CUD: any anxiety aRR 1.79 (CI 1.40-2.26); PTSD aRR 2.46 (CI 1.78-3.33); GAD aRR 2.18 (CI 1.03-4.60). Postnatal CUD: any anxiety aRR 2.02 (CI 1.22-3.14); PTSD aRR 2.97 (CI 1.56-5.17).

How the study worked

Population-based retrospective cohort using linked administrative health data from New South Wales, Australia. 223,068 live births (2003-2005). Maternal CUD and offspring anxiety disorders identified via ICD-10 codes. Log-binomial regression with mediation and propensity score matching.

What this study cannot tell us

Administrative data with ICD-coded diagnoses may miss milder cases. Cannot determine biological vs. environmental mechanisms. CUD diagnosis may correlate with other risk factors (poverty, other substance use, adverse childhood experiences). Australian cohort from 2003-2005.

How to read the evidence

Large population-based cohort with linked administrative data and robust sensitivity analyses, but cannot distinguish biological from environmental mechanisms.

When this study was published

2025 publication with 2003-2005 birth cohort data.

The bigger picture

As cannabis use among pregnant women increases globally, understanding the long-term mental health consequences for offspring becomes critical. The particularly strong association with PTSD suggests specific stress-response pathways may be disrupted by prenatal cannabis exposure.

Questions still open

Is the increased PTSD risk driven by prenatal biological effects or postnatal environmental factors?
Would occasional cannabis use during pregnancy show similar associations?

Common questions

Does cannabis use during pregnancy affect the child's mental health?

This study of 223,068 births found children of mothers with cannabis use disorder had a 79% higher risk of anxiety disorders and nearly 2.5 times higher risk of PTSD. Both prenatal and postnatal exposure were associated with increased risk.

Can prenatal cannabis exposure cause PTSD in children?

This study found children prenatally exposed to maternal CUD had 2.46 times higher risk of developing PTSD. However, the study cannot determine whether the association is due to direct biological effects of cannabis on fetal brain development or environmental factors associated with maternal substance use.

Read the original research

Maternal perinatal cannabis use disorder and the risk of anxiety disorders in offspring: Insights from a longitudinal data-linkage cohort study.

Journal of affective disorders, 389, 119743

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Tadesse, Abay Woday; Ayano, Getinet; Dachew, Berihun Assefa; Betts, Kim; Alati, Rosa. (2025). Maternal perinatal cannabis use disorder and the risk of anxiety disorders in offspring: Insights from a longitudinal data-linkage cohort study.. Journal of affective disorders, 389, 119743. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.119743