The impact of timing of in utero marijuana exposure on fetal growth

ObjectiveTo examine whether timing of in utero marijuana exposure independently and negatively impacts fetal growth, and if these effects are global or specific to certain growth parameters.Study designThe two study groups were marijuana users (N = 109) and a randomly selected control group of bioch...

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Main Authors: Phoebe Dodge, Katherine Nadolski, Haley Kopkau, Victoria Zablocki, Kaya Forrestal, Beth A. Bailey
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Pediatrics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2023.1103749/full
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author Phoebe Dodge
Katherine Nadolski
Haley Kopkau
Victoria Zablocki
Kaya Forrestal
Beth A. Bailey
author_facet Phoebe Dodge
Katherine Nadolski
Haley Kopkau
Victoria Zablocki
Kaya Forrestal
Beth A. Bailey
author_sort Phoebe Dodge
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveTo examine whether timing of in utero marijuana exposure independently and negatively impacts fetal growth, and if these effects are global or specific to certain growth parameters.Study designThe two study groups were marijuana users (N = 109) and a randomly selected control group of biochemically verified non-users (n = 171). Study data were obtained via manual abstraction of electronic medical records.ResultsAfter control for significant confounders, regression results indicated significant (p < .05) decrease in newborn weight following first trimester marijuana exposure only (−154 g) and following marijuana exposure throughout gestation (−185 g) compared to controls. There were also significant deficits in head circumference following marijuana exposure in the first and second trimester only (−.83 cm) and marijuana exposure throughout pregnancy (−.79 cm) compared to controls. Newborn length was not significantly predicted by marijuana exposure.ConclusionsTiming of marijuana exposure appears to play a key role in specific fetal growth deficits, with exposure throughout gestation most detrimental. However even first trimester exposure may result in decreased weight. Timing and amount of use could be confounded in this study as those who quit early in pregnancy may have been lighter users than those who continued throughout pregnancy. More research is clearly needed to better understand the role of amount and timing of in utero marijuana exposure in predicting different aspects of fetal growth, however, this study suggests that women should be encouraged to avoid marijuana use at any point in pregnancy.
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spelling doaj.art-b5bd531654d945449e66cbbf409073572023-05-16T04:31:22ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pediatrics2296-23602023-05-011110.3389/fped.2023.11037491103749The impact of timing of in utero marijuana exposure on fetal growthPhoebe DodgeKatherine NadolskiHaley KopkauVictoria ZablockiKaya ForrestalBeth A. BaileyObjectiveTo examine whether timing of in utero marijuana exposure independently and negatively impacts fetal growth, and if these effects are global or specific to certain growth parameters.Study designThe two study groups were marijuana users (N = 109) and a randomly selected control group of biochemically verified non-users (n = 171). Study data were obtained via manual abstraction of electronic medical records.ResultsAfter control for significant confounders, regression results indicated significant (p < .05) decrease in newborn weight following first trimester marijuana exposure only (−154 g) and following marijuana exposure throughout gestation (−185 g) compared to controls. There were also significant deficits in head circumference following marijuana exposure in the first and second trimester only (−.83 cm) and marijuana exposure throughout pregnancy (−.79 cm) compared to controls. Newborn length was not significantly predicted by marijuana exposure.ConclusionsTiming of marijuana exposure appears to play a key role in specific fetal growth deficits, with exposure throughout gestation most detrimental. However even first trimester exposure may result in decreased weight. Timing and amount of use could be confounded in this study as those who quit early in pregnancy may have been lighter users than those who continued throughout pregnancy. More research is clearly needed to better understand the role of amount and timing of in utero marijuana exposure in predicting different aspects of fetal growth, however, this study suggests that women should be encouraged to avoid marijuana use at any point in pregnancy.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2023.1103749/fullfetal growthdevelopmentprenatal marijuana/cannabis exposurepregnancy smokingcannabinoids
spellingShingle Phoebe Dodge
Katherine Nadolski
Haley Kopkau
Victoria Zablocki
Kaya Forrestal
Beth A. Bailey
The impact of timing of in utero marijuana exposure on fetal growth
Frontiers in Pediatrics
fetal growth
development
prenatal marijuana/cannabis exposure
pregnancy smoking
cannabinoids
title The impact of timing of in utero marijuana exposure on fetal growth
title_full The impact of timing of in utero marijuana exposure on fetal growth
title_fullStr The impact of timing of in utero marijuana exposure on fetal growth
title_full_unstemmed The impact of timing of in utero marijuana exposure on fetal growth
title_short The impact of timing of in utero marijuana exposure on fetal growth
title_sort impact of timing of in utero marijuana exposure on fetal growth
topic fetal growth
development
prenatal marijuana/cannabis exposure
pregnancy smoking
cannabinoids
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2023.1103749/full
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