Marijuana and cannabis-containing products are growing in popularity and availability in the United States, and use during pregnancy has increased dramatically. The overarching aim of this proposal is to provide pilot data for a submission which will explore the impact of chronic maternal marijuana use (primary or secondary) on fetal functioning, maternal reflective functioning and infant birth and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Chronically marijuana using pregnant women in treatment at the Center for Addiction and Pregnancy will be enrolled and asked to provide information about participants' marijuana and other licit and illicit substance use and feelings about parenting and participants' infant and undergo fetal monitoring at 36 weeks gestation. The neonates will undergo neurobehavioral examination during the first and fourth weeks of life.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Maternal-fetal monitoring evaluates fetal and maternal heart rate, maternal respirations, fetal movement, and maternal skin conductance (a way to monitor emotional response)
Evaluates neurobehavioral organization, neurological reflexes, motor development, and signs of stress and withdrawal of substance-exposed infants.
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Change in Prevalence of maternal cannabis use disorder
Rates of Cannabis use disorder among pregnant women reporting primary or secondary (i.e. first or second drug of choice) cannabis use during pregnancy.
Time frame: The first day of study enrollment and again at infant delivery
Fetal functioning as assessed by fetal heart rate
Fetal heart rate in beats per minute will be measured.
Time frame: One day during 36th weeks of gestation
Fetal functioning as assessed by fetal movement
Fetal movement: number and length in msecs of bouts of fetal movement as determined by fetal actograph testing
Time frame: One day during 36th weeks of gestation
Change in infant neurobehavioral functioning as assessed by the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Network Neurobehavioral Scale scores.
Time frame: One day during week 1 and week 4 of infant life
Change in Maternal reflective functioning as assessed by the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire
Responses that evaluate the mother's ability to reflect on and interpret her own behavior and that of her child in terms of mental states and intentions; this will be assessed using the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire.
Time frame: At 36 weeks of gestation, postpartum week 1, postpartum week 4
Infant weight at birth
Birth weight in kilograms
Time frame: At the time of delivery
Infant length at birth
Infant length in centimeters
Time frame: At the time of delivery
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Infant head circumference at birth
Infant head circumference in centimeters
Time frame: At the time of delivery
Infant Apgar Score at 1 minute
Apgar Score after birth at one minute; scores range from 1-10 with higher scores signifying more optimal infant well being at birth.
Time frame: At 1 minute after delivery
Infant Apgar Score at 5 minutes
Apgar Score after birth at five minutes; scores range from 1-10 with higher scores signifying more optimal infant well being at birth.
Time frame: At 5 minutes after delivery