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Effect of prenatal marijuana exposure on sleep wake cycles and amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG)
Rebecca Pollack1, Divya Rana2, John Purvis2
1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA. pollackr2@nychhc.org.
Insights
Prenatal marijuana (THC) exposure is linked to abnormal sleep-wake cycles in newborns' brain activity (aEEG). Umbilical cord drug screening did not correlate with these aEEG findings.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neurology
- Neurodevelopmental toxicology
Background:
- Prenatal exposure to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of marijuana, is a growing concern.
- Assessing the impact of maternal marijuana use on neonatal brain function is crucial for understanding potential long-term effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if prenatal THC exposure is associated with abnormal amplitude-integrated electroencephalograms (aEEG) in newborns.
- To investigate the relationship between THC levels in umbilical cord samples and neonatal aEEG patterns.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study involving 30 mother/infant dyads with recorded maternal and infant demographics.
- Urine drug screening (UDS) and umbilical cord drug screening (UCDS) were performed.
- A limited channel continuous aEEG was recorded within 48 hours of birth, followed by statistical analysis including regression models.
Main Results:
- 60% (18/30) of neonates exposed prenatally to THC exhibited abnormal aEEGs, characterized by sleep-wake cycle (SWC) disturbances (p < 0.001).
- Carboxy-THC levels in umbilical cord samples were comparable between infants with abnormal and normal aEEGs (p = 0.82), indicating no direct correlation.
Conclusions:
- The absence of SWCs on aEEG in neonates is associated with prenatal THC exposure.
- While prenatal THC exposure impacts neonatal brain activity patterns, THC levels in umbilical cord samples did not correlate with aEEG abnormalities.
- Further longitudinal research is needed to clarify the association between prenatal THC exposure, abnormal aEEG findings, and subsequent neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Objective:
To assess whether prenatal exposure to marijuana (THC) results in abnormal amplitude integrated encephalograms (aEEG).
Design:
This was a (2018-2020) prospective cohort study of prenatally THC-exposed newborns. Maternal and Infant demographics, urine (UDS) and umbilical cord drug screening (UCDS) were recorded. A limited channel continuous aEEG was obtained within 48 h of birth. Statistical analysis included univariate, multivariate, and logistical regression.
Results:
A total of 30 mother/infant dyads were enrolled. 60% (18/30) of neonates had abnormal aEEGs with sleep wake cycle (SWC) disturbances (p < 0.001). UCDS Carboxy-THC pg/g levels were similar in infants with abnormal [1758 (296,2838)] and normal aEEG [1589 (332,2794)], p = 0.82.
Conclusions:
Absence of SWCs on aEEG is associated with prenatal THC exposure. While THC UCDS levels did not correlate to aEEG results future longitudinal studies are necessary to obtain detailed history of THC use and to evaluate its association with abnormal aEEG and the neurodevelopmental outcomes.
