Behavioral and Cognitive Differences in Early Childhood related to Prenatal Marijuana Exposure.

ABSTRACT

Prenatal marijuana exposure (PME) negatively impacts child development and behavior; however, few studies have examined these associations at early ages among children exposed to today's highly potent marijuana. Using a prospective prenatal cohort (Columbus, Ohio, USA), PME was determined from maternal self-report, medical chart abstraction, and urine toxicology from prenatal visits and delivery. At age 3.5 years, 63 offspring children completed tasks assessing executive function (EF), visual spatial ability, emotion regulation, and aggressive behavior. Caregivers reported on children's EF and problem behaviors. Logistic regressions and analyses of covariance controlling for key variables were used to examine associations between PME and child outcomes. Compared to non-exposed children, children with PME had more sleep-related problems, withdrawal symptoms, and externalizing problems, including aggressive behaviors and oppositional defiant behaviors. Children with and without PME did not differ in terms of executive functioning. Findings suggest behavioral problems associated with PME may manifest by age 3.5.