Maternal Alcohol, Tobacco and Cannabis Consumption and the Outcome of Pregnancy

Abstract

In a prospective study of 7,301 births, associations were sought between maternal alcohol, tobacco and cannabis use and several adverse outcomes of pregnancy. Apparent effects of alcohol use on prematurity, intrauterine growth retardation, congenital abnormalities and low Apgar score were consistent with previously reported work, but were not statistically significant. Infants born to smokers had lower birthweights and were more prone to intrauterine growth retardation, but they did not appear to have an increased risk of prematurity or perinatal death. Only 36 women reported using cannabis 2 or more times a week, not merely as smokers of marijuana but also as users of the more potent resin forms of cannabis. Subsequently 25% of these women gave birth to premature infants.

Combined Effects of Cigarette Smoking and Alcohol Consumption on Perinatal Outcome

“…Infants born to smokers had lower birth weights. However, the same effect was not observed after exposure to alcohol [34] .…”

Maternal lifestyle factors and risk for ventricular septal defects

“…Additionally, animal studies have shown that marijuana exposure affects somatic and germ cells through mutations, deletions, translocations, and other aberrations (Zimmerman andZimmerman, 1990 -1991); the genetic effect of marijuana exposure on somatic cells has also been shown in humans (Ammenheuser et al, 1998). Marijuana use has been associated with low birth weight and other adverse fetal growth parameters in several human studies (Tennes et al, 1985;Hatch and Bracken, 1986;Day et al, 1991), but reported associations between marijuana and birth defects have been inconclusive (Hingson et al, 1982;Gibson et al, 1983;Qazi et al, 1985;O'Connell and Fried, 1984;Zuckerman et al, 1989;Fried, 1991;Torfs et al, 1994). A literature review did not reveal any studies that identified an association between maternal marijuana use and VSD, though the BWIS found a 50% increase in the risk of isolated membranous VSD associated with paternal marijuana use (Ewing et al, 1997).…”

Safety Issues Concerning the Medical Use of Cannabis and Cannabinoids

“…Cannabis use during pregnancy has been correlated with low birth weight (102,103), prematurity (104) and intrauterine growth retardation (105), although contradictory findings have also been reported (106). Frequent maternal cannabis use may be a weak risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (107).…”