The Impact of Cannabis and Tobacco Use Prior to Pregnancy on Offspring Birth Outcomes1
Prematurity is one of the leading causes of neonatal death, the condition also poses greater risks for neurodevelopmental disabilities in later childhood, and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in later life. There are emerging reports suggesting that life-course origins of health and development begin before conception. A recent study by Hines et al evaluated the associations between preconception cannabis and tobacco use and next generation preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW) and small for gestational age. Among the cohort of 665 participants extracted from the general population, preconception parent (either maternal or paternal) daily cannabis use age 15-17 was associated with six-fold increases in the odds of offspring PTB, and offspring LBW. Nonetheless, there was little evidence of associations with preconception parental cannabis use at other ages or preconception parental tobacco use. Thus, the findings support that early life origins of growth begin before conception and advocates for prevention of frequent cannabis use during adolescence.
References
1. Hines et al. Sci Rep 2021; 11: 16826
