A new study led by the Colorado School of Public Health has found that using cannabis during pregnancy was associated with a 50 percent increased likelihood of low birth weight for the mother's child.

 

Low birth weight can put the baby at risk for other health issues like infection and lengthy stays in Neonatal Intensive Care Units.

 

The Journal of Pediatrics-published study used data from 3,207 women who participated in the Colorado Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System in 2014 and 2015.

 

The researchers found that 88.6 percent of women who used cannabis during pregnancy also breastfed.

 

 

Although the effects of breastfeeding while using cannabis remain unknown, some studies have said that cannabinoids can be passed to babies through breastfeeding.

 

This study's lead author Tessa Crume, PhD, MSPH, assistant professor of epidemiology at the Colorado School of Public Health at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, told Science Daily of the results:

 

"Our findings underscore the importance of screening for cannabis use during prenatal care and the need for provider counselling about the adverse health consequences of continued use during pregnancy."

 

Of course, Colorado is a unique place in regards to cannabis because it is legal in the state. There, 5.7 of pregnant women use marijuana during pregnancy, and 5 percent of breastfeeding mums do so, too.

 

 

"There is increased availability, increased potency and a vocal pro-cannabis advocacy movement that may be creating a perception that marijuana is safe to use during pregnancy," Crume noted.

 

Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health says that cannabis use among expectant mums rose by up to 62 percent between 2002 and 2014.

 

Combine that with the fact that marijuana's potency has increased by six to sevenfold since the 1970s, and you've got a troubling situation with children's health hanging in the balance.

 

"Growing evidence suggests prenatal cannabis exposure has a detrimental impact on offspring brain function starting in the toddler years, specifically issues related to attention deficit disorder," observed Crume.

 

 

"But much of the research on the effects of prenatal cannabis on neonatal outcomes was based on marijuana exposures in the 1980s and 1990s which may not reflect the potency of today's cannabis or the many ways it is used."

 

With this in mind, the researchers say that healthcare professionals should advise mums not to use cannabis during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

 

"Obstetric providers should refrain from prescribing or recommending cannabis for medical purposes during preconception, pregnancy and lactation," Crume stated.

 

"Guidance and messaging about this should be incorporated into prenatal care. And screening of pregnant women at risk for cannabis dependency should be linked to treatment options."

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