Pregnant woman diagnosed with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome after chronic cannabis use | Research

The takeaway

A 29-year-old pregnant woman with chronic cannabis use presented with uncontrolled vomiting that responded to hot baths, leading to a diagnosis of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. She recovered and delivered without complications.

OB-GYN clinicians, emergency physicians, and pregnant individuals who use cannabis.

CHS should be considered in vomiting during pregnancy

What the researchers found

The case illustrates that cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of vomiting during pregnancy, particularly when hot baths provide relief and conventional causes are excluded.

Why it matters

Vomiting in pregnancy is common and typically attributed to morning sickness. CHS may be underdiagnosed in pregnant cannabis users because clinicians do not routinely ask about cannabis use in the prenatal setting.

The numbers in context

Patient was 29 years old. Symptoms included uncontrolled vomiting with relief from hot baths. She continued pregnancy and delivered without complications after diagnosis.

How the study worked

Clinical case report of a single pregnant patient presenting with uncontrolled vomiting secondary to chronic cannabis use, with literature review.

What this study cannot tell us

Single case report with limited generalizability. The diagnosis was based on clinical presentation and exclusion of other causes rather than definitive testing.

How to read the evidence

Preliminary: single case report.

When this study was published

Published in 2020 in International Journal of Emergency Medicine.

The bigger picture

As cannabis use increases among pregnant women, recognizing CHS as a cause of pregnancy-related vomiting becomes clinically important to avoid unnecessary interventions and ensure appropriate counseling.

Questions still open

How common is CHS among pregnant cannabis users? Could misdiagnosis of CHS as hyperemesis gravidarum lead to unnecessary treatments? What are the fetal risks of CHS-related dehydration?

Common questions

What is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?

CHS is a condition where chronic, heavy cannabis use causes cycles of severe nausea and vomiting. A hallmark feature is that hot baths or showers provide temporary relief. The only effective long-term treatment is stopping cannabis use.

Did the cannabis use harm the baby?

The case report states the patient continued her pregnancy and delivered without complications. However, the report focused on CHS diagnosis rather than neonatal outcomes, and cannabis use during pregnancy carries other documented risks.

Read the original research

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome in the pregnant patient: clinical case and literature review.

International journal of emergency medicine, 13(1), 52

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Flament, Julien; Scius, Nathan; Thonon, Henri. (2020). Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome in the pregnant patient: clinical case and literature review.. International journal of emergency medicine, 13(1), 52. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-020-00311-y