Clinics in Mother and Child Health

Abstract

Effects of Maternal Cannabis use on the Newborn at Delivery and the Perinatal Period

Angela Edet*, Philip Y. Cheng, Mouchumi Bhattacharyya and Teri M. Kozik

Background: To evaluate if Activity Pulse Grimace Appearance Respiration (APGAR) scores and birthweight at delivery are different amongst newborns exposed to cannabis in utero compared to those who were not exposed to cannabis in utero. Also the rate of perinatal complications to the newborn was examined.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study utilizing patient’s electronic health records that gave birth at a community hospital in the central valley of California in 2019. Exposure was defined as cannabis detected on universal urine toxicology testing completed on admission to hospital prior to birth/delivery. This was compared with urine toxicology testing that was negative for cannabis exposure.

Results: No significant difference between mothers who use cannabis and mothers who do not use cannabis during pregnancy in terms of the newborn’s one minute or five minute APGAR score.

A significant difference between mothers who use cannabis compared to mothers who did not was found, in terms of the newborn’s birthweight. The rate of perinatal complications to the newborn was negligible at delivery and in the immediate perinatal period in our particular study.

Conclusion: There was a significant difference between mothers who use cannabis compared to mothers who did not in regards to birthweight in the newborn. Mothers who used cannabis in pregnancy had lower birthweight newborns. The rates of complications to the newborn in the perinatal period were negligible showing cannabis use in the short term period has no evident complications to the newborn.

Published Date: 2022-04-01; Received Date: 2022-03-01