Maternal cannabis use closely associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes: JAMA

In a recent study published in the Journal of American Medical Association found maternal cannabis use to have concerning associations with pregnancy outcomes linked to placental dysfunction.

The study by Torri Metz and team was conducted across 8 medical centers in the US to find the impact of escalated use of cannabis among reproductive-age individuals and the issues surrounding its effects on pregnancy.  

Data from the Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study were monitored in Mothers-to-Be cohort. The study required urine samples and pregnancy outcome information from 10,038 participants from 2010 to 2013. Out of the 9,257 participants, 610 (6.6%) reported cannabis use during pregnancy. Also, 32.4% of cannabis users reported exposure only during the first trimester, while 67.6% had ongoing exposure.

The primary outcome including small-for-gestational-age birth, medically indicated preterm birth, stillbirth, or hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, was higher in the cannabis exposure group (25.9%) compared to the no-exposure group (17.4%). Propensity score–weighted analyses revealed an adjusted relative risk of 1.27 [95% CI, 1.07-1.49] by implicating cannabis use in adverse pregnancy outcomes related to placental dysfunction.

This study found that cannabis use during the first trimester alone did not show a significant association with adverse outcomes. Ongoing cannabis use beyond the first trimester demonstrated a significant link (adjusted relative risk, 1.32 [95% CI, 1.09-1.60]).

These findings highlight the importance of understanding the impact of maternal cannabis use on pregnancy outcomes. With increasing cannabis use among the women of reproductive-age, it is important to look into the risks associated with placental dysfunction during pregnancy. This comprehensive analysis raise critical awareness about the potential consequences of cannabis exposure which urges further research and consideration in reproductive health practices.

Source:

Metz, T. D., Allshouse, A. A., McMillin, G. A., Greene, T., Chung, J. H., Grobman, W. A., Haas, D. M., Mercer, B. M., Parry, S., Reddy, U. M., Saade, G. R., Simhan, H. N., & Silver, R. M. (2023). Cannabis Exposure and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Related to Placental Function. In JAMA (Vol. 330, Issue 22, p. 2191). American Medical Association (AMA). https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2023.21146