SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Cannabis Withdrawal in Two Newborns

Pdf Summary

This document describes two term newborn boys who showed symptoms consistent with cannabis withdrawal after frequent maternal cannabis use during pregnancy.

<strong>Patient 1</strong> was a 39-week infant with uncomplicated delivery and normal Apgar scores. His mother used medical cannabis several times per week for PTSD, anxiety, and headaches. Umbilical cord testing was positive only for THC. By 24 hours of life, the infant developed jitteriness, fussiness, and mild hypertonia, which worsened by 48 hours and improved by 72 hours. He also had about 6% weight loss. The parents chose formula feeding, and he was discharged on day 3 with close follow-up and no reported adverse outcomes.

<strong>Patient 2</strong> was also a 39-week infant. His mother used daily cannabis for nausea and nightly diphenhydramine; toxicology was positive for cannabinoids. Delivery was complicated by a prolapsed umbilical cord and emergency C-section, with low initial Apgar requiring brief CPAP. At 24 hours, he became jittery, fussy, difficult to console, and mildly hypotonic, with symptoms worsening on day 2 and new head lag plus excessive rooting/sucking. He lost about 9% of birth weight. He was breastfed with formula supplementation, and symptoms were thought to reflect a combination of cannabis and diphenhydramine withdrawal.

<strong>Overall conclusion:</strong> Both newborns showed early neonatal withdrawal-like symptoms—especially jitteriness and irritability peaking within the first 72 hours—after frequent prenatal cannabis exposure. The cases also highlight feeding difficulties, abnormal tone, and moderate weight loss. The authors note that while prenatal cannabis exposure is increasingly linked to reduced birth weight and later neurobehavioral concerns, less is known about acute withdrawal in newborns.

Asset Subtitle

Dan Hale

Meta Tag

Author List Dan Hale, Wesley Phillips

Category Clinical Vignettes

Concept Cannabis Withdrawal

Concept Prenatal Cannabis Exposure

Concept Neonate

Concept Jitteriness

Concept Irritability

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Portsmouth Regional Hospital

Presenting Author Dan Hale

Track Pediatric

Keywords

cannabis withdrawal

newborn

prenatal cannabis exposure

THC

jitteriness

irritability

hypertonia

hypotonia

weight loss

neonatal symptoms

Cannabis Withdrawal

Prenatal Cannabis Exposure

Neonate

Jitteriness

Irritability