Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Can Lead to a Dangerous Abdominal Condition in Teens
Nine adolescents were found to have both cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome and superior mesenteric artery syndrome, suggesting that CHS-related weight loss may trigger the vascular complication.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
All nine patients presented with nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. They lost an average of 6.0 kg and had a mean BMI at the 15.61st percentile (BMI Z-score: -1.5). Six of nine were female. Symptoms were present for an average of 19.6 weeks before diagnosis. Only four patients received cannabis cessation support.
Key Numbers
9 patients identified. 6 female. Mean weight loss: 6.0 kg. Mean BMI percentile: 15.61 (BMI 17.7 kg/m2). Mean BMI Z-score: -1.5. Mean symptom duration before diagnosis: 19.6 weeks. Only 4/9 received cannabis cessation support.
How They Did This
Retrospective case series identifying patients admitted to Children's Hospital of Colorado (2015-2023) who had both cannabis use and chronic vascular intestinal disorders on their problem lists via ICD-10 codes. Nine patients met criteria for both SMAS and chronic cannabis use.
Why This Research Matters
This is the first report describing CHS co-occurring with superior mesenteric artery syndrome in adolescents. SMAS occurs when weight loss reduces the fat pad between the aorta and superior mesenteric artery, compressing the duodenum. The vomiting cycle of CHS may drive the weight loss that triggers this potentially serious surgical condition.
The Bigger Picture
CHS is increasingly recognized as more than just cyclical vomiting. This case series suggests it can trigger downstream complications through weight loss, adding urgency to early recognition and cannabis cessation in affected adolescents.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Very small case series (n=9) from a single institution. Cannot establish that CHS caused the weight loss that led to SMAS. ICD code-based identification may miss cases or introduce misclassification. No comparison group.
Questions This Raises
- ?How often does CHS lead to clinically significant weight loss?
- ?Should adolescents with CHS be monitored for SMAS?
- ?Would earlier diagnosis and cannabis cessation prevent this complication?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Average 6 kg weight loss and nearly 20 weeks to diagnosis
- Evidence Grade:
- Small case series from a single institution; useful for raising clinical awareness but cannot establish prevalence or causation.
- Study Age:
- 2024 study using 2015-2023 data
- Original Title:
- Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome co-occurring with superior mesenteric artery syndrome in adolescents.
- Published In:
- Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, 79(3), 495-500 (2024)
- Authors:
- Shanker, A Isabella, Li, B U K(5), Kramer, Robert E
- Database ID:
- RTHC-05703
Evidence Hierarchy
Describes what happened to one person or a small group.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome cause other health problems?
This case series found 9 adolescents with CHS who also developed superior mesenteric artery syndrome, a condition where weight loss compresses the intestine. The researchers believe CHS-related vomiting and weight loss triggered the complication.
How long did it take to diagnose these patients?
On average, symptoms were present for nearly 20 weeks before diagnosis, highlighting the difficulty of recognizing overlapping CHS and SMAS.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-05703APA
Shanker, A Isabella; Li, B U K; Kramer, Robert E. (2024). Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome co-occurring with superior mesenteric artery syndrome in adolescents.. Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, 79(3), 495-500. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpn3.12317
MLA
Shanker, A Isabella, et al. "Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome co-occurring with superior mesenteric artery syndrome in adolescents.." Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpn3.12317
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome co-occurring with superior ..." RTHC-05703. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/shanker-2024-cannabinoid-hyperemesis-syndrome-cooccurring
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.