According to a new study released in JAMA, ongoing cannabis use during a pregnancy increases risks of preterm births, stillbirths, decreased birth size, and high blood pressure disorders. The authors caution that, “Cannabis use should be avoided during pregnancy to optimize maternal and neonatal outcomes.”
The study (Metz, T. et.al. / December 2023) uses data from the “Monitoring Mothers-to-Be” cohort, collected between 2010 – 2013, from 8 medical centers in the United States and involved 9,257 eligible expectant mothers. The subjects were divided into 3 separate groups associated to their exposure (use) of cannabis during pregnancy. No exposure (N=8,647), exposure 1st trimester only (N=197) and ongoing exposure after 1st trimester (N=413). The cohort with the highest association of adverse fetal outcomes, as noted above, was the “ongoing exposure” group.
In previous studies, the reported use of cannabis was “self-reported” by the participants and as such is prone to under reporting. In this study urine specimens were collected during the pregnancy for the purposes of two independent lab analysis for metabolites of cannabis in the specimens. Lab results for positive test had a median metabolite value of 265 ng/ml. The lowest value reported was 16 ng/ml and the most concentrated metabolite value detected was 35,797 ng/ml.
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