In a recent study conducted by Central Michigan University College of Medicine researchers, startling data has emerged regarding the dangerous effects of cannabis use during pregnancy.
The study found that marijuana use during the first trimester leads to a significant decrease in newborn weight. The research also discovered deficits in head circumference among babies whose mothers used marijuana during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy.
With this, Canadian health experts' recently published information only increases the subject's severity.
More Pregnant Mothers Are Using Cannabis
Researchers in Canada have observed an alarming increase in emergency room visits and hospitalizations related to cannabis use by pregnant women.
This surge in hospital admissions raises concerns about various risks, including preterm labor, low birth weight, and negative effects on the baby's developing brain.
The Canadian Press highlights that a study analyzed data from 980,398 pregnancies in Ontario involving 691,242 individuals between January 2015 and July 2021 to gather this information.
Among these pregnancies, 540 individuals visited an emergency room or were hospitalized due to cannabis use. The rate of ER and hospital visits related to cannabis use during pregnancy has risen to 20 per 100,000 pregnancies, up from 11 per 100,000 since the legalization of cannabis.
Shockingly, some patients seeking care were found to be intoxicated or under the influence of high levels of cannabis.
Health Experts Concerned by the Surge
Dr. Daniel Myran, a family physician and addiction specialist, expressed concerns about the implications for the health of children born from these pregnancies.
While the absolute increase in ER visits and hospitalizations may be low, many more pregnant women may use cannabis without seeking medical care.
The study also revealed that some pregnant women had a cannabis use disorder, making it difficult to stop using the drug. Approximately 22 percent of the individuals in the study experienced withdrawal symptoms.
Dr. Myran emphasized that this data does not pertain to individuals who used cannabis once or twice during pregnancy but to those with persistent and ongoing use.
Why Pregnant Women Resort to Cannabis
The study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) and involving Unity Health Toronto, suggested that some pregnant women may resort to cannabis use to alleviate symptoms of morning sickness.
However, Dr. Darine El-Chaar, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at The Ottawa Hospital and co-author of the study, warned against this misconception.
She explained that multiple studies have linked cannabis use during pregnancy to increased risks of early delivery, low birth weight, autism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada supports these findings, emphasizing the substantial evidence indicating the risks associated with cannabis use during pregnancy.
They stress that the use of cannabis during this critical period can lead to lifelong harm to the developing fetus, affecting memory function, behavior, and mental health.
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