Research conducted by the University of Adelaide shows that women who use marijuana during the time of pregnancy can more than double the risk of premature birth.

 

Premature birth, defined as birth more than three weeks before the baby’s due date, often results in serious and life-threatening health problems for the child, and an increased risk of health problems in later life, including heart disease and diabetes.

 

The university conducted a study of over 3,000 pregnant women in Adelaide and Auckland detailed the most common risk factors for preterm birth.

 

The research team, headed by the Adelaide University’s Professor Gus Dekker, found the greatest risk for spontaneous preterm birth included:

  • Strong family history of low birth weight babies (almost six times the risk);
  • Use of marijuana prior to pregnancy (more than double the risk);
  • Having a mother with a history of pre-eclampsia (more than double the risk);
  • Having a history of vaginal bleeds (more than double the risk);
  • Having a mother with diabetes type 1 or 2 (more than double the risk).

The team also found that the greatest risk factors involved in the preterm rupture of membranes leading to birth included:

  • Mild hypertension not requiring treatment (almost 10 times the risk);
  • Family history of recurrent gestational diabetes (eight times the risk);
  • Receiving some forms of hormonal fertility treatment (almost four times the risk);
  • Having a body mass index of less than 20 (more than double the risk).

 

"Our study has found that the risk factors for both forms of preterm birth vary greatly, with a wide variety of health conditions and histories impacting on preterm birth," Professor Dekker said.

 

"Better understanding the risk factors involved in preterm birth moves us another step forward in potentially developing a test - genetic or otherwise - that will help us to predict with greater accuracy the risk of preterm birth. Our ultimate aim is to safeguard the lives of babies and their health in the longer term.”