Marijuana Use during Pregnancy and Lactation and Long-term Outcomes

Abstract

Recent surveys have shown increased use of marijuana during the perinatal period, possibly linked to increased legalization in many countries. Available information on the association between marijuana exposure and the effects on growth and development, as well as brain structure and function of the fetus, is growing but has not been uniform. Interpretation of these data is often challenging because of the influence of confounding factors and the sociodemographic variabilities in the study subjects. In this review, we present a synthesis of current information on the epidemiology and effects of marijuana use during pregnancy and evaluate the evidence for the immediate and long-term effects on affected neonates. We also describe the current knowledge and implications of breastfeeding and marijuana use and summarize selected current references about this practice. Finally, we provide the rationale for additional biological and population-based investigations to determine the various fetal outcomes of in-utero marijuana exposure that may assist in the establishment of prevention measures and applicable public health policies in the future.