THC, the effects of cannabis in pregnancy and breastfeeding

The use of cannabis in Italy is among the highest in Europe, second only to that of the Czech Republic (European Drug Report 2024). AND Today’s cannabis has a higher level of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) than in the past And therefore it exposes to more serious side effects. In particular, new evidence on the relapses that can have on the fetus have been added and, then, on the newborn if the mother makes use of it. «We know the effects of cannabis especially from a neurological and psychological point of view in general – he explains to Health courier Daniele De Luca, professor of Neonatology at the Paris Saclay University, Paris -. Now we are adding consistent data on what happens to the son of a woman who smokes cannabis in pregnancy or during thebreastfeeding. A study published on British Medical Journal In 2023 he highlighted, for example, that the children of mothers who made use of cannabis in gestation present at birth An increase in some risks including low weight, hospitalization in a unit of intensive neonatal therapy and prematurity».

Compared to the risk of prematurity what do studies say?

« From an Australian investigation that has considered over 215 thousand children it emerges that If the mother smokes cannabis the preterm birth risk increases by 200%. Prematurity means starting life in an incubator, having breathing difficulties and other problems that can touch almost all organs that are not yet sufficiently developed. But not only. For women who use light drugs during the wait increases by almost 200% the risk of having children « SGA » (Small for Gestational Age, editor’s note), who are not necessarily born preterine, but They are smaller for weight and length compared to babies of the same gestational age. This condition determines important consequences, over time, both at the metabolic level (such as high pressure cholesterol, diabetes, editor’s note), both of growth. This study also highlighted such an increase in the probability of having a Apgar index Basswhich means the need for immediate resuscitation at birth ».

What is Apgar’s index?

«It is a score given to the newborn in the delivery room (the measurement index ranges from 0 to 10, editor’s note), which takes into account the functioning of different vital parameters. Having a low Apgar means intervening at the resuscitation level immediately And, often, subsequently, having to hospitalize the baby in neonatal intensive care ».

Are there any other evidence?

«A Canadian study, which involved over 1 million and 200 thousand children, shows that in the children of mothers who have made use of cannabis there is a greater incidence of gastrointestinal congenital malformationsespecially of the digestive tube. They are children born with laparoschisithat is, with the rectal muscles of the abdomen not perfectly closed, which requires A long hospitalization in intensive care, surgical operations and parenteral nutrition (by intravenous administration, editor’s note). There is also a mortality increased fetal, neonatal level (first month of life) and post-neonatal (first 12 months) with an increase in risks if the nicotine is added to the cannabis, respectively 76% and 218%. Today we therefore have solid evidence to discourage the use of cannabis in those who want or already have a baby ».

There is no « safe » quantity

The consumption of cannabis and derivatives since adolescence is increasing. It is estimated that 1 young people out of 4that is, almost a 1 million, has made use of « light drugs » once in a lifetime and 70,000 use it daily, at an early age (source Department of drug policies and other addictions). « The effects of cannabinoids, which contain an ever higher level of active ingredient, are at various levels and there is no safe amount of consumption – explains Maria Luisa Di PietroDirector of Procreative Health Center, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart -. All this is bringing serious effects, especially in the neurological and psychiatric level, but The damage also affects fertility And, if mothers have made cannabis consumption in pregnancy or consume it during breastfeeding, on the births, with various neurosviluppo disorders ».