Abstract
Background: Cannabis is one of the most common non-prescribed psychoactive substances used in pregnancy. The prevalence of gestational cannabis use
is increasing.
Aim: The aim was to examine the prevalence of gestational cannabis use and associated pregnancy and neonate outcomes.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study involving pregnant
women delivering in 2019 was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Perth, Western
Australia. Gestational cannabis and other substance use records were based on
maternal self-report. Pregnancy outcomes included neonatal gestational age,
birthweight, birth length, head circumference, resuscitation measures, special care
nursery admission, 5-min Apgar score and initial neonatal feeding method.
Results: Among 3104 pregnant women (mean age: 31 years), gestational cannabis
use was reported by 1.6% (n = 50). Cannabis users were younger, more likely to use
other substances and experience mental illness or domestic violence compared
with non-users. Neonates born to cannabis users had a lower mean gestational
age, birthweight and birth length compared to those born to non-cannabis users.
Gestational cannabis use (odds ratio (OR) 3.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6–6.7)
and tobacco smoking (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.5–3.6) were associated with increased odds
of a low-birthweight neonate. Combined cannabis and tobacco use during pregnancy further increased the likelihood of low birthweight (LBW, adjusted OR 3.9,
95% CI 1.6–9.3). Multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for maternal sociodemographical characteristics, mental illness, alcohol, tobacco and other substance use demonstrated gestational cannabis use to be independently associated
with LBW (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1–5.2).
Conclusion: Gestational cannabis use was independently associated with low
birthweight, synergistically affected by tobacco smoking.
KEYWORDS
cannabis, fetus, low birthweight, pregnancy, preterm birth
is increasing.
Aim: The aim was to examine the prevalence of gestational cannabis use and associated pregnancy and neonate outcomes.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study involving pregnant
women delivering in 2019 was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Perth, Western
Australia. Gestational cannabis and other substance use records were based on
maternal self-report. Pregnancy outcomes included neonatal gestational age,
birthweight, birth length, head circumference, resuscitation measures, special care
nursery admission, 5-min Apgar score and initial neonatal feeding method.
Results: Among 3104 pregnant women (mean age: 31 years), gestational cannabis
use was reported by 1.6% (n = 50). Cannabis users were younger, more likely to use
other substances and experience mental illness or domestic violence compared
with non-users. Neonates born to cannabis users had a lower mean gestational
age, birthweight and birth length compared to those born to non-cannabis users.
Gestational cannabis use (odds ratio (OR) 3.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6–6.7)
and tobacco smoking (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.5–3.6) were associated with increased odds
of a low-birthweight neonate. Combined cannabis and tobacco use during pregnancy further increased the likelihood of low birthweight (LBW, adjusted OR 3.9,
95% CI 1.6–9.3). Multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for maternal sociodemographical characteristics, mental illness, alcohol, tobacco and other substance use demonstrated gestational cannabis use to be independently associated
with LBW (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1–5.2).
Conclusion: Gestational cannabis use was independently associated with low
birthweight, synergistically affected by tobacco smoking.
KEYWORDS
cannabis, fetus, low birthweight, pregnancy, preterm birth
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 6-12 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology |
| Volume | 63 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | Jul 2022 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Feb 2023 |
