# Prenatal Cannabis Exposure and Autism Development Insights > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/prenatal-cannabis-exposure-autism-behavioral-impact/ > **Published:** 2026-04-25T14:24:30-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T11:54:46-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore prenatal cannabis exposure autism risks and behavioral impacts in children with autism spectrum disorder symptoms. --- #### Clinical Takeaway Maternal [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) during pregnancy was associated with increased behavioral and developmental concerns in children, with stronger associations observed in children who had autism spectrum disorder symptoms compared to those without. These findings suggest that prenatal cannabis exposure may have particular relevance for children with autism-related vulnerabilities. Healthcare providers should counsel patients about potential risks of peripregnancy cannabis use when planning pregnancy or during prenatal care. ### #29 Associations of maternal peripregnancy cannabis use with behavioral and developmental outcomes in children with and without symptoms of autism spectrum disorder: Study to Explore Early Development. **Citation:** DiGuiseppi Carolyn et al. *Associations of maternal peripregnancy cannabis use with behavioral and developmental outcomes in children with and without symptoms of autism spectrum disorder: Study to Explore Early Development.* Autism research: official journal of the International Society for Autism Research. 2025. PMID: 39660543. **Study type:** Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov’t, P.H.S.  |  **Topic area:** Autism  |  **CED Score:** 10 Design: 0 Journal: 0 N: 4 Recency: 2 Pop: 3 Human: 1 Risk: 0 **Abstract:** Some studies report increased prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and associated symptoms with prenatal cannabis exposure. We examined whether associations of [maternal cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/placental-biology-prenatal-thc-exposure-schizophrenia-risk/) from 3 months preconception through delivery (“peripregnancy”) with behavior and development in the offspring varied with the presence of ASD symptoms. Children ages 30-68 months with ASD symptoms (i.e., met study criteria for ASD or had ASD symptoms on standardized assessments or community ASD diagnosis, N = 2734) and without ASD symptoms (other developmental delay/disorders or general population sample, N = 3454) were evaluated with the Child Behavior Checklist and Mullen Scales of Early Learning. We examined cannabis use during three time periods: peripregnancy, pregnancy, and only preconception. Peripregnancy cannabis exposure was reported for 6.0% of children with and 4.6% of children without ASD symptoms. Preconception-only cannabis use (versus no use) was associated with more aggressive behavior, emotional reactivity, and sleep problems in children with ASD symptoms, but not in children without ASD symptoms. Cannabis use during pregnancy was associated with increased attention and sleep problems in children with ASD symptoms; these associations did not differ significantly by ASD symptoms. Peripregnancy cannabis use was not associated with child developmental abilities regardless of ASD symptoms. In summary, associations of peripregnancy cannabis use with some behavioral outcomes differed in children with and without ASD symptoms. With rising cannabis use among pregnant women, future studies that examine a range of developmental risks associated with timing and patterns of cannabis use prior to conception as well as during pregnancy could inform clinical guidance.  |   |  [View on PubMed ↗](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39660543/)[Full Text ↗](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11785473/)[DOI ↗](https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.3284) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. 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[Read More](https://cedclinic.com/endocannabinoid-system-child-development-insights/) [Cannabis Use in Pregnancy Linked to Child Behavioral Outcomes: A Study on Autism Spectrum Disorder](https://cedclinic.com/peripregnancy-cannabis-exposure-child-development/) Explore research linking maternal cannabis use during pregnancy to behavioral outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorder. [Explore Study](https://cedclinic.com/peripregnancy-cannabis-exposure-child-development/) [Endocannabinoid System & Autism: Maternal Cannabis Data](https://cedclinic.com/maternal-cannabis-use-peripregnancy-child-development/) Review [clinical data](https://cedclinic.com/uk-germany-medical-cannabis-markets-double-2025/) on maternal cannabis use and its effects on child development related to autism spectrum disorder. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/maternal-cannabis-use-peripregnancy-child-development/) Have thoughts on this? 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