A recent study conducted by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) has unearthed concerning implications of combined cannabis and nicotine use during pregnancy, significantly elevating the risk of adverse health outcomes for newborns compared to the use of either substance alone.
Published in JAMA Network Open, the study analyzed data from over 3 million pregnant individuals with documented cannabis and nicotine use, drawing attention to alarming trends in infant health associated with maternal substance use during pregnancy.
Lead author of the study, Jamie Lo, M.D., M.C.R., underscored the urgency for effective clinical counseling during the preconception and prenatal stages, particularly for individuals who engage in concurrent cannabis and nicotine use. Lo emphasized the misconception surrounding the safety of cannabis use during pregnancy, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of its potential health ramifications.
The study unveiled a fourfold increase in the risk of infant death among individuals who used both cannabis and nicotine during pregnancy compared to non-users. Furthermore, rates of small gestational size and preterm delivery were notably higher in individuals using both substances concurrently.
Adam Crosland, M.D., M.P.H., assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at OHSU and lead author of the study, stressed the importance of supporting pregnant individuals with evidence-based recommendations and treatment options that prioritize optimal health outcomes. Crosland emphasized the potential benefits of abstaining from at least one of the two substances during pregnancy, acknowledging the inherent challenges faced by individuals in doing so.
The research team advocated for expanded efforts to educate pregnant individuals about the risks associated with cannabis and nicotine use, with a focus on empowering informed decision-making and fostering open dialogue between patients and healthcare providers.
Moving forward, the multidisciplinary research team, including Eliot Spindel, M.D., Ph.D., and Cindy McEvoy, M.D., M.C.R., aims to delve deeper into the effects of combined cannabis and nicotine use during pregnancy, exploring factors such as potency, frequency, and timing. Additionally, the team will continue to explore prenatal interventions, such as vitamin C supplementation, to mitigate the adverse respiratory outcomes observed in children born to parents who smoke during pregnancy.
As efforts to address maternal substance use during pregnancy evolve, the study underscores the imperative of tailored interventions and comprehensive education initiatives to safeguard maternal and infant health.
