Δ 8 ‐tetrahydrocannabinol, Δ 9 ‐tetrahydrocannabinol, and cannabidiol carboxylic acid metabolites in authentic meconium samples

The consumption of cannabis-related products during pregnancy is increasing. Marijuana (cannabis) use during pregnancy, whether for nonmedical or medical purposes to relieve of pregnancy-related symptoms and discomfort, can lead to potential adverse clinical and neurodevelopmental outcomes for the developing fetus. Testing conventional matrices, such as blood and urine, provides information regarding the recent intake of drugs, whereas analysis of alternative specimens, such as meconium, provides information regarding maternal use and potential in utero exposure during the third trimester of pregnancy. In this study, meconium samples (n = 19) were obtained from neonates at birth delivered at the University of Florida (UF). All the mothers participating in the study completed a questionnaire regarding cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD) use during pregnancy. Maternal urine samples were also collected during each trimester of pregnancy and at delivery. 11-nor-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (Δ9-THC-COOH), 11-nor-Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (Δ8-THC-COOH) and 7-carboxy cannabidiol (7-COOH-CBD) were quantitated in the meconium samples utilizing liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The most frequently identified analyte was Δ9-THC-COOH (median concentration: 113 ng/g) which was quantitated in the meconium samples (n = 12) of neonates born to mothers who self-reported cannabis use during the third trimester. Δ8-THC-COOH was observed in five of the Δ9-THC-COOH positive samples (median concentration: 15.7 ng/g). Meconium of neonates born to mothers who did not self-report a history of cannabis use (control subjects) was negative for Δ8-THC-COOH and Δ9-THC-COOH. These data support further study of drug use patterns during pregnancy to focus on the clinical consequences of use during the perinatal period.