Cannabis and cocaine use in pregnancy rose sharply over a decade in Dublin while opioid use fell
In an Irish maternity hospital over 2010-2019, drug use in pregnancy decreased overall but cannabis and cocaine consumption increased nearly 4-fold, with extremely high rates of maternal and perinatal complications.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among 82,669 deliveries, 525 had drug use in pregnancy (1 in 160). Over the decade, overall drug use decreased (0.8% to 0.4%), but cannabis and cocaine use each increased nearly 4-fold (RR 3.7 and 3.8 respectively). The population showed 66.3% psychiatric history, 11.6% homelessness, 91% tobacco use, a maternal mortality rate of 380.9 per 100,000, and perinatal mortality of 15.6 per 1,000.
Key Numbers
82,669 total deliveries; 525 with substance use (1 in 160); cannabis use RR 3.7 (95% CI 1.58-8.86); cocaine use RR 3.8 (95% CI 1.57-9.44); 17.9% preterm birth rate; 52% NICU admission; mean birth weight 2,832g; maternal mortality 380.9/100,000
How They Did This
Retrospective observational cohort study at an Irish tertiary maternity unit analyzing all deliveries from 2010-2019 where opioid use disorder or substance use was identified. Data combined from electronic and hand-held patient records. Trends analyzed by year of delivery.
Why This Research Matters
The shift from opioid-dominant to stimulant-and-cannabis patterns in pregnant populations mirrors broader drug use trends and requires adapted clinical services.
The Bigger Picture
Drug use patterns in pregnancy are evolving rapidly. Services designed around opioid substitution therapy may need to adapt as cannabis and stimulants become the dominant substances used by pregnant women.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Single-center study in Dublin. Self-reported drug use likely underestimates true prevalence. Cannot separate effects of cannabis from polysubstance use or socioeconomic factors. Small absolute numbers limit trend analysis precision.
Questions This Raises
- ?Are antenatal services equipped to address the shift from opioids to cannabis and stimulants?
- ?How do outcomes compare between cannabis-only users and polysubstance users in this population?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Cannabis use in pregnancy nearly quadrupled (RR 3.7) over the decade
- Evidence Grade:
- Ten-year single-center cohort providing trend data, but self-reported exposure and polysubstance use complicate interpretation.
- Study Age:
- Published 2023 using 2010-2019 data
- Original Title:
- Drug use in pregnancy in Ireland's capital city: A decade of trends and outcomes.
- Published In:
- European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, 282, 24-30 (2023)
- Authors:
- Corbett, Gillian A, Carmody, Deirdre, Rochford, Marie, Cunningham, Orla, Lindow, Stephen W, O'Connell, Michael P
- Database ID:
- RTHC-04471
Evidence Hierarchy
Looks back at existing records to find patterns.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Is cannabis use in pregnancy increasing?
In this Dublin hospital, cannabis use among pregnant women with substance use increased nearly 4-fold from 2010-2019, while overall drug use in pregnancy actually decreased.
What outcomes do substance-using pregnant women face?
This population had extremely high complication rates: 17.9% preterm birth, 52% NICU admission, maternal mortality of 380.9 per 100,000 (vs ~10 per 100,000 nationally), and two-thirds had psychiatric history.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-04471APA
Corbett, Gillian A; Carmody, Deirdre; Rochford, Marie; Cunningham, Orla; Lindow, Stephen W; O'Connell, Michael P. (2023). Drug use in pregnancy in Ireland's capital city: A decade of trends and outcomes.. European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, 282, 24-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2022.12.021
MLA
Corbett, Gillian A, et al. "Drug use in pregnancy in Ireland's capital city: A decade of trends and outcomes.." European journal of obstetrics, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2022.12.021
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Drug use in pregnancy in Ireland's capital city: A decade of..." RTHC-04471. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/corbett-2023-drug-use-in-pregnancy
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.