Marijuana Use During Pregnancy Linked to Higher Risk of ADHD, Autism, and Intellectual Disability in Children

A new study presented at the European Psychiatric Association Congress has revealed a significant link between prenatal cannabis use disorder and an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children. The research found that children exposed to marijuana in the womb are more likely to develop attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and intellectual disability (ID).

Study Overview

The study analyzed data from 222,000 mothers in New South Wales, Australia. Researchers used health registry data, ensuring that all diagnoses were medically confirmed.

Key Findings

• Children born to mothers with prenatal cannabis use disorder had a 98% higher risk of developing ADHD and a 46% higher risk of intellectual disability.
• For children whose mothers already had a cannabis use disorder and continued using marijuana during pregnancy, the risk of developing ADHD, intellectual disability, and autism spectrum disorder was even higher.
• Prenatal cannabis use disorder also increased the likelihood of other complications, such as premature birth and low birth weight.

Public Health Implications

The results highlight the urgent need for public health education campaigns to raise awareness about the risks of marijuana use during pregnancy.