RESEARCH has determined an association between prenatal cannabis exposure and increased aggression, as well as poorer executive function, inhibitory control, and planning, in children aged five.
Conducted from 2016 to 2020 with data analysis completed by 2024, the study involved 250 children from an initial sample of 355 at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. These children, born between May 2010 and February 2016, were evaluated for the potential impact of cannabis exposure in utero on their cognitive and behavioural outcomes, with particular attention to executive functions—skills crucial for academic and social success.
To assess cannabis exposure, researchers employed a multimodal approach that included urine toxicology, maternal self-reports, and obstetric records. Among the 250 children who participated, 80 (32%) had prenatal cannabis exposure, and additional exposures to other substances, including tobacco and alcohol, were noted in 22-39% of cases. The cohort was demographically diverse, with a majority of children from low-income backgrounds, 62% identified as Black/African American, non-Hispanic, 20% as White, non-Hispanic, and smaller percentages from other racial and ethnic groups. The primary outcomes measured were executive function skills and aggression at age five, using standardised assessments of cognitive abilities and behavioural observations by staff blinded to exposure status. Results indicated that children exposed to cannabis scored approximately 0.4 standard deviations lower in attention and inhibitory control than non-exposed children, with a specific point reduction of β = -6.1 and a 95% confidence interval of -10.8 to -1.4, suggesting a significant impact. Planning abilities were also affected in exposed children, who exhibited more observable aggressive behaviours compared to their unexposed peers. Interestingly, caregiver reports did not indicate these behavioural changes, nor were there differences in other laboratory-based executive function measures.
These findings suggest that prenatal cannabis exposure may negatively affect certain critical executive functions and increase aggressive behaviour in young children, with implications for their academic and social development. Clinicians should consider these potential risks when advising expectant mothers regarding cannabis use during pregnancy. While the study highlights the possible developmental challenges associated with prenatal cannabis exposure, further research could clarify these associations and inform clinical guidelines, supporting early interventions to mitigate adverse outcomes in affected children.
Reference
Keim SA et al. Prenatal cannabis exposure and executive function and aggressive behavior at age 5 years. JAMA Pediatr. 2024;DOI:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.4352.
