Cannabis Use During Pregnancy Does Not Increase Autism Risk, Study Finds

It is not new that a sudden increase in cannabis use during pregnancy in the United States has raised concerns about possible effects on children's health. So far, some research suggested that prenatal exposure to cannabis could raise the likelihood of autism development in children. However, a recent and robust study conducted by researchers from Kaiser Permanente and the University of California, San Francisco, disproves this hypothesis. The research, one of the largest ever conducted on the subject, evaluated 178,948 pregnancies and concluded that cannabis use in early pregnancy is not associated with an increase in autism diagnoses.

Autism is a developmental disorder that affects how individuals communicate, interact, and experience the world. Although it is classified as a disorder, many of the so-called "symptoms" of autism are, in fact, differences in perception and behavior that may clash with societal expectations. This recent study reinforces that the causes of autism are predominantly genetic, and that cannabis use during pregnancy does not play a significant role in increasing the risk.

The study utilized detailed data from the Kaiser Permanente health system, which conducts universal screenings for cannabis use in pregnant women, both through self-reporting and urine tests, and routinely assesses children for autism. The researchers also considered sociodemographic factors and health conditions of the mothers, and observed that when these factors were adjusted, the initial relationship between cannabis use and autism disappeared.

The research also points out that mothers who use cannabis during pregnancy may have a genetic predisposition that leads them both to use the substance and to have children with autism. However, the study recommends caution regarding cannabis use during pregnancy, as its effects on other aspects of child development are still not fully understood.