According to a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism of the Endocrine Society, cannabis usage is increasing among women who are pregnant and may have a harmful impact on the children's health.
Up to 22% of pregnant women had measurable quantities of THC in their bodies, according to a 2016 Colorado research. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) use during pregnancy may increase the risk of low birth weight and behavioural issues in the foetus. The child’s future risk of obesity and high blood sugar may also increase as a result of cannabis exposure.
The fact that CBD is marketed as “nonpsychoactive” and that customers can benefit from the plant’s health properties without getting high is a contributing factor in its appeal. CBD is promoted as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Additionally, it is advertised as a sleep aid.
15% of the 103 pregnant women who provided urine samples for the study had cannabinoids like THC and CBD that could be detected. In comparison to children who were not exposed to cannabis during pregnancy, these moms’ 5-year-old children had increased fat mass and fasting glucose levels.
“We found that cannabis use during pregnancy was linked to increased fat mass percentage and fasting glucose levels in 5-year-old children,” said Brianna Moore, Ph.D., of the Colorado School of Public Health in Aurora, Colo. “We would encourage women to refrain from using any cannabis while pregnant or breastfeeding to minimize adverse health effects in the offspring.”
Moore noted that more research is required to determine the potential effects of various cannabinoids on the foetus.
Parvathy Sukumaran 
