Marijuana and Tobacco Coexposure in Hospitalized Children

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The impact of secondhand marijuana smoke exposure on children is unknown. New methods allow for the detection of marijuana smoke exposure in children. METHODS: We studied children who were hospitalized in Colorado and had a parent participating in a smoking cessation study; all children had urine samples remaining from the original study as well as consent for future research. Parents completed a survey and urine samples were analyzed for cotinine and marijuana metabolites, including 11-hydroxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (COOH-THC), by using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The median age of the children was 6.0 years (range 0-17 years); 57% were boys. Half (55%) were white, 12% were African American, and 33% were of another race; 39% identified as Hispanic. Approximately 46% had detectable COOH-THC, and 11% had detectable THC. Of those with detectable THC, 3 were teenagers, and 6 were <8 years of age. There were no significant differences in urinary COOH-THC concentrations by age, sex, race and/or ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. Children with positive results for COOH-THC were more likely to have parents who use marijuana daily, smoke marijuana versus other forms of use, use daily in the home, and smoke marijuana in another room if the children are around compared with smoking outside. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately half of the children who qualified for our study had biological evidence of exposure to marijuana. Researchers in studies such as this provide valuable data on secondhand exposure to children from parents using tobacco and marijuana and can inform public health policies to reduce harm.

Applying a gendered lens to understanding self-reported changes in alcohol and cannabis consumption during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, September to December 2020

“…However, this reported mode of consumption decreased from 64.2% to 52.5% for women who used cannabis. 28 Given the potential risk of second-hand exposure among children from parental cannabis smoking, 29,30 men with children in the home may be less likely to smoke cannabis. Evidence on adverse health outcomes among children exposed to secondhand cannabis smoking and potential risk-modifying behaviours among parents who use cannabis is limited, and additional research is needed.…”

A worldwide charter for all children with asthma

“…Risk factors including tobacco and indoor biomass smoke, outdoor air pollution, and viral infection are particularly common in LMICs 24‐28 and in deprived communities in high‐income countries. Environmental disasters, such as wildfires, hailstorms or floods, also worsen asthma control.…”

Association between secondhand marijuana smoke and respiratory infections in children

“…8 While adolescent marijuana use/exposure has been studied, marijuana's impact on younger children has not been fully elucidated. A previous study investigating young children hospitalized with bronchiolitis found almost 50% of children exposed to tobacco also had detectable levels of secondhand marijuana, 9 yet just how marijuana smoke affects children has not been studied in depth. With the rise in marijuana use by adults, the known concerning effects from primary exposure to marijuana, and the similarities of marijuana and tobacco smoke, the examination of secondhand marijuana smoke exposure, and its potential effects on child health is of substantial public health importance.…”