Article Impact Level: HIGH Data Quality: STRONG Summary of JAMA Internal Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.3270 Dr. Kelly C. Young-Wolff et al.
Points
- A study in Northern California (2011-2019) examined the impact of prenatal cannabis use on maternal health outcomes, involving 316,722 pregnancies of 20 weeks or longer.
- Prenatal cannabis use, determined by self-report or positive toxicology, was linked to higher risks of gestational hypertension (aRR 1.17), preeclampsia (aRR 1.08), abnormal gestational weight gain (excessive aRR 1.09, insufficient aRR 1.05), and placental abruption (aRR 1.19).
- No significant association was found between prenatal cannabis use and eclampsia, placenta previa, placenta accreta, or severe maternal morbidity.
- The study emphasizes the adverse effects of prenatal cannabis use on maternal health despite varying results based on cannabis use method and frequency.
- Further research is needed to understand the specific characteristics of cannabis consumption (dose, mode, timing) to provide better healthcare advice to pregnant individuals regarding cannabis use risks.
Summary
In a substantial retrospective cohort study conducted in Northern California from January 2011 to December 2019, researchers investigated the association between prenatal cannabis use and various maternal health outcomes during pregnancy. The study included 316,722 pregnancies that lasted 20 weeks or longer, with prenatal cannabis use determined either by self-reported use during early pregnancy or positive toxicology test results at the onset of prenatal care. This study aimed to clarify how prenatal exposure to cannabis might affect conditions such as gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and other significant maternal health issues, contrasting with the limited understanding of these associations despite growing public health interest.
The findings revealed that prenatal cannabis use was significantly associated with an increased risk of several adverse health outcomes. Expressly, the adjusted risk ratios (aRRs) indicated higher risks of gestational hypertension (aRR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.13-1.21), preeclampsia (aRR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.01-1.15), excessive and insufficient gestational weight gain (as of 1.09; 95% CI, 1.08-1.10 and 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.08, respectively), and placental abruption (aRR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.05-1.36). However, there was no significant association found with eclampsia, placenta previa, placenta accreta, or severe maternal morbidity.
These results underscore the complex implications of prenatal cannabis use on maternal health, highlighting a clear association with several adverse outcomes during pregnancy. Given the variance in the results based on the method and frequency of cannabis use reported, further research is crucial to delineate the characteristics of cannabis consumption that might influence these risks. Understanding the dose, mode, and timing of cannabis use can help healthcare providers better advise pregnant individuals about the potential risks associated with cannabis consumption during pregnancy.
Link to the article: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2821358
References Young-Wolff, K. C., Adams, S. R., Alexeeff, S. E., Zhu, Y., Chojolan, E., Slama, N. E., Does, M. B., Silver, L. D., Ansley, D., Castellanos, C. L., & Avalos, L. A. (2024). Prenatal Cannabis Use and Maternal Pregnancy Outcomes. JAMA Internal Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.3270
