A pregnant woman with chronic cannabis use was misdiagnosed with pregnancy-related vomiting when she actually had cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome
A case report of a 20-year-old pregnant woman with multiple hospital admissions for nausea and vomiting found her symptoms were caused by cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, not hyperemesis gravidarum, after clinicians noticed her compulsive hot shower behavior.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
A 20-year-old pregnant woman was admitted multiple times for recurrent nausea and vomiting. She was initially assumed to have hyperemesis gravidarum, a common pregnancy complication.
Clinicians observed that she was taking frequent hot showers, a hallmark behavior of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). Further history revealed chronic cannabis use.
With no other identifiable cause for her symptoms, she was diagnosed with CHS and managed with antiemetics and cannabis abstinence.
The case highlights how CHS can be masked by pregnancy because its symptoms closely resemble hyperemesis gravidarum, leading to delayed diagnosis and unnecessary workups.
Key Numbers
Patient was 20 years old with multiple hospital admissions. Daily cannabis use preceded the onset of symptoms. Symptoms resolved with antiemetics and cannabis abstinence.
How They Did This
Single case report of a 20-year-old pregnant woman with multiple hospital admissions. Diagnosis reached by exclusion of other causes and recognition of compulsive hot shower behavior.
Why This Research Matters
Cannabis use during pregnancy is increasing, and CHS in pregnant women is likely underdiagnosed because nausea and vomiting are expected pregnancy symptoms. Misattributing CHS to hyperemesis gravidarum delays the key intervention (cannabis cessation) and exposes the fetus to continued cannabis.
The Bigger Picture
This case sits at the intersection of two trends: increasing cannabis use during pregnancy and growing recognition of CHS. When pregnant patients with nausea and vomiting also use cannabis, clinicians need to consider CHS even though the symptoms look identical to a common pregnancy complication.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Single case report. No objective confirmation of CHS diagnosis beyond symptom resolution with cannabis cessation. The patient may have had concurrent hyperemesis gravidarum.
Questions This Raises
- ?How often is CHS misdiagnosed as hyperemesis gravidarum?
- ?Should routine pregnancy intake include screening for cannabis use patterns?
- ?Does CHS in pregnancy carry additional fetal risks beyond cannabis exposure alone?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- CHS in pregnancy can be indistinguishable from hyperemesis gravidarum
- Evidence Grade:
- Preliminary. Single case report highlighting a diagnostic challenge.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2018. Awareness of CHS in pregnancy has grown as cannabis use during pregnancy has increased.
- Original Title:
- Recurrent Nausea and Vomiting in a Pregnant Woman with Chronic Marijuana Use.
- Published In:
- Case reports in obstetrics and gynecology, 2018, 9746062 (2018)
- Authors:
- Kim, Hyunyoung G, Moon, Jeremiah, Dixon, Heather, Tullar, Paul
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01719
Evidence Hierarchy
Describes what happened to one person or a small group.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What is hyperemesis gravidarum?
Hyperemesis gravidarum is severe, persistent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and hospitalization. It affects a small percentage of pregnancies and is considered a normal (if extreme) pregnancy complication.
How can doctors tell the difference between CHS and hyperemesis gravidarum?
The key clue is compulsive hot bathing or showering for symptom relief, which is characteristic of CHS but not hyperemesis gravidarum. A detailed history of cannabis use patterns is also essential. Symptoms resolving with cannabis cessation confirms the diagnosis.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01719APA
Kim, Hyunyoung G; Moon, Jeremiah; Dixon, Heather; Tullar, Paul. (2018). Recurrent Nausea and Vomiting in a Pregnant Woman with Chronic Marijuana Use.. Case reports in obstetrics and gynecology, 2018, 9746062. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/9746062
MLA
Kim, Hyunyoung G, et al. "Recurrent Nausea and Vomiting in a Pregnant Woman with Chronic Marijuana Use.." Case reports in obstetrics and gynecology, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/9746062
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Recurrent Nausea and Vomiting in a Pregnant Woman with Chron..." RTHC-01719. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/kim-2018-recurrent-nausea-and-vomiting
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.