Marijuana usage during the first trimester of pregnancy can result in infants having lower body weight and decreased head circumference, which could create multiple health issues for the child, according to a recent study.
The May 16 study, published at the “Frontiers in Pediatrics,” analyzed two groups of women—109 marijuana users and 171 non-users. It found a “significant decrease” in the weight of newborns born to women who used marijuana during the first trimester of pregnancy. The weight of such newborns was lower by 154 grams. If women continued marijuana use through gestation, a further 31 grams in weight was found to be lost.
Researchers also found “significant deficits” in head circumference. Infants born to women who used marijuana had a head circumference deficit of 0.83 cm, while those born to women who used marijuana throughout pregnancy had a deficit of 0.79 cm. The length of the baby was found to be “not significantly predicted” by marijuana exposure….