Neonatal Outcomes Associated With In Utero Cannabis Exposure: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study

( Am J Obstet Gynecol . 2024;231(1):132.e1–132.e13. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.11.1232) This study investigates the association between in utero cannabis exposure and neonatal outcomes using a population-based retrospective cohort design. The research included 364,924 singleton births within the Kaiser Permanente Northern California system from January 2011 to July 2020. Pregnant individuals were screened for cannabis exposure through self-reports and urine toxicology tests as part of standard prenatal care. Key neonatal outcomes evaluated were low birthweight (LBW), small for gestational age (SGA), preterm birth, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, and the need for respiratory support. Potential confounders such as sociodemographic factors, other prenatal substance use, maternal comorbidities, and adequacy of prenatal care were adjusted for in the analysis.