# The relationship between maternal cannabis use disorder diagnosis and the development of retinopathy of prematurity

> **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637)
> **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com)
> **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/maternal-cannabis-use-disorder-diagnosis-retinopathy-prematurity/
> **Published:** 2026-03-26T06:08:00-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T10:38:18-04:00
> **Clinical Summary:** Explore the impact of maternal cannabis use disorder diagnosis on retinopathy of prematurity risk in preterm infants in this large cohort study.

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CED Clinical Relevance  #66Notable Clinical Interest  Emerging findings or policy developments worth monitoring closely.
🔬 Evidence Watch  |  CED Clinic
PregnancyNeonatal[Cannabis Use Disorder](https://cedclinic.com/sex-differences-cannabis-stress-reactivity-oxytocin/)RetinopathyCohort Study

Journal
Journal of AAPOS: the official publication of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus

Study Type
Cohort

Population
Human participants

Why This Matters

This large retrospective cohort study addresses a critical gap in our understanding of maternal [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) effects on neonatal outcomes, specifically examining retinopathy of prematurity in high-risk preterm infants. Given increasing [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) during pregnancy, clinicians need evidence-based data to counsel patients about potential risks to infant eye development.

Clinical Summary
This retrospective cohort study analyzed 31,110 preterm infants (22-31 weeks gestation or <1500g birth weight) using the UC San Diego SOMI database, comparing ROP incidence between infants born to mothers with versus without [cannabis use disorder](https://cedclinic.com/sex-differences-cannabis-stress-reactivity-oxytocin/) diagnosis. The study found similar ROP rates: 32.1% in the CUD group (997 infants) versus 33.3% in the non-CUD group (30,113 infants). After adjusting for maternal covariates, no significant association was found between maternal CUD and infant ROP development. This represents one of the largest studies examining this specific maternal cannabis-neonatal outcome relationship.

Dr. Caplan’s Take

“While reassuring that we don’t see increased ROP risk with [maternal cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/placental-biology-prenatal-thc-exposure-schizophrenia-risk/) disorder, I remain cautious about drawing broad conclusions given this relies on diagnostic coding rather than direct cannabis exposure measurement. The study design cannot capture dosing, timing, or product-specific factors that may be clinically relevant.”

Clinical Perspective
🧠 Clinicians can use this data to reassure patients that [maternal cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/placental-biology-prenatal-thc-exposure-schizophrenia-risk/) disorder diagnosis does not appear to increase ROP risk in preterm infants, while continuing standard ROP screening protocols regardless of maternal [cannabis history](https://cedclinic.com/the-forgotten-history-of-hemp-in-america/). However, this should not be interpreted as evidence that cannabis use during pregnancy is safe, as other neonatal and maternal outcomes require separate consideration.

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📰 Source: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41638301/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41638301/)

Table of Contents

- [FAQ](#FAQ)[Does maternal cannabis use disorder increase the risk of retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants?](#Does_maternal_cannabis_use_disorder_increase_the_risk_of_retinopathy_of_prematurity_in_preterm_infants)
- [What population was studied to determine the relationship between maternal cannabis use and ROP?](#What_population_was_studied_to_determine_the_relationship_between_maternal_cannabis_use_and_ROP)
- [How was cannabis use disorder and ROP diagnosis determined in this study?](#How_was_cannabis_use_disorder_and_ROP_diagnosis_determined_in_this_study)
- [Should clinicians change ROP screening protocols for infants born to mothers with cannabis use disorder?](#Should_clinicians_change_ROP_screening_protocols_for_infants_born_to_mothers_with_cannabis_use_disorder)
- [What are the clinical implications of these findings for counseling pregnant patients who use cannabis?](#What_are_the_clinical_implications_of_these_findings_for_counseling_pregnant_patients_who_use_cannabis)
- [Related](#Related)

## FAQ

#### Does maternal cannabis use disorder increase the risk of retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants?

No, this large retrospective cohort study found no significant difference in ROP incidence between infants born to mothers with cannabis use disorder (32.1%) versus those without (33.3%). After adjusting for maternal demographic and clinical factors, maternal cannabis use disorder was not associated with increased risk of developing ROP in preterm infants.

#### What population was studied to determine the relationship between maternal cannabis use and ROP?

The study included infants born between 22 and less than 31 weeks’ gestation and/or with birth weight less than 1500g who survived to appropriate age for ROP screening. The cohort comprised 997 infants born to mothers with cannabis use disorder and 30,113 infants born to mothers without cannabis use disorder from the UC San Diego population-based database.

#### How was cannabis use disorder and ROP diagnosis determined in this study?

Both maternal cannabis use disorder during pregnancy and infant ROP were identified using International Classification of Diseases (ICD) diagnostic codes from hospital discharge records. This methodology relied on documented clinical diagnoses rather than self-reported cannabis use or screening results.

#### Should clinicians change ROP screening protocols for infants born to mothers with cannabis use disorder?

No, current evidence does not support modified ROP screening protocols based on maternal cannabis use disorder alone. Standard ROP screening guidelines based on gestational age and birth weight should continue to be followed regardless of maternal cannabis use disorder status.

#### What are the clinical implications of these findings for counseling pregnant patients who use cannabis?

While this study suggests maternal cannabis use disorder does not increase ROP risk, it does not indicate cannabis use during pregnancy is safe. Clinicians should continue evidence-based counseling about other established risks of prenatal cannabis exposure while noting that ROP risk does not appear to be elevated based on this research.

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### Related

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### Verification & Medical Governance

- **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD
- **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House).
- **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`).
- **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/).
- **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637).
- **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).