Study: Cannabis can be harmful in utero

Children whose mothers used cannabis after the fifth or sixth week of pregnancy may be more likely to develop mental health problems in early adolescence. That’s according to a new study.

An analysis of data from more than 10,000 children aged 11 and 12 years old revealed that exposure to cannabis in utero was associated with a higher risk of developing disorders such as ADHD, aggressive behavior, conduct disorder and rule-breaking behavior, according to the report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics.

The study also showed that children exposed to cannabis in utero tended to have lower birth weight, lower brain volume and lower white matter volume. Although still a small percentage, the number of women using cannabis during pregnancy is growing.

For pregnant women who rely on marijuana to help with nausea, experts advised talking to their health care provider.