Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Recreational marijuana use is increasing and poses a risk to both mother and the fetus. We aimed to assess marijuana use and perinatal outcomes in the local obstetric population at our hospital. METHODS: An IRB approved retrospective chart review identified a cohort of women with singleton gestations who delivered at LAC/USC hospital between 2015 and 2018. Women with self-reported marijuana use were compared with a control group. Demographic characteristics, maternal and perinatal outcomes were evaluated. Associations between these factors and marijuana use were assessed with univariate and multivariate regression. RESULTS: Of 2792 women who delivered during the study period, 151 (5.4%) had documented marijuana use. Compared to 192 non-users, marijuana users were more likely to be younger, non-Hispanic, undomiciled, unemployed and use other illicit substances. Marijuana users entered prenatal care later (14.2 vs. 22.1 weeks, P<.001), were more likely to have preeclampsia (P=.046) and cesarean delivery (P=.01) and had infants with average birth weight 106 grams less (P=.02) than controls. After adjusting for confounders, marijuana use was not significantly associated with preterm birth or composite perinatal morbidity, but remained associated with 4.1-fold greater likelihood of delivering a small for gestational age (SGA) infant (95% CI 1.95-8.74). CONCLUSION: At a safety net hospital, antepartum marijuana use is significantly associated with SGA at birth. Marijuana users have higher maternal morbidity including preeclampsia and cesarean delivery, and are more likely to enter prenatal care later and report poly-substance use. Healthcare disparities associated with marijuana use make this a population of critical interest.
Published Version
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