Cannabis Use During Pregnancy and Effect on Maternal and Fetal Health Outcomes: A Retrospective Chart Review [ID 1068]

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluates the association between prenatal cannabis use and maternal and fetal health outcomes through a detailed retrospective chart review. The purpose of this research is to identify obstetric complications and neonatal outcomes linked to cannabis exposure during pregnancy, providing data to guide clinical counseling and inform future research. METHODS: This study examined 64 pregnancies with documented cannabis exposure and collected data on delivery details, gestational age, co-use of substances such as tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. Maternal outcomes included length of stay, preterm delivery, placental abruption, cesarean delivery, and postpartum infection, while fetal outcomes included Apgar scores, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, and birth weight. RESULTS: Among maternal outcomes, preterm delivery (less than 37 weeks) was observed in 29.7% cases compared to 9.7% of cases that year in Pennsylvania, while placental abruption and postpartum infections were documented in 4.7% and 3.1% cases, respectively. Vaginal delivery occurred in 70% of patients, and 30% required cesarean delivery. 27.2% of infants required NICU admission, predominantly for prematurity, respiratory distress, hypoglycemia, or neonatal abstinence syndrome. Only 10.2% of infants required NICU admission that year in Pennsylvania. Low birth weight (less than 2,500 g) was observed in 24% infants, compared to 8.3% of infants statewide, and abnormal fetal heart rate tracings were noted in 13.6% cases. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: This study identified clinically significant maternal and neonatal complications in pregnancies with documented cannabis use, including notable proportions of preterm deliveries, NICU admissions, and low-birth-weight infants. This highlights the importance of examining prenatal cannabis exposure as a risk factor for adverse perinatal outcomes.