Systematic Review of Obstetric and Child Outcomes of Prenatal Exposure to Inhalants in the Context of a Use Disorder

Systematic Review of Obstetric and Child Outcomes of Prenatal Exposure to Inhalants in the Context of a Use Disorder

Published: March/April 2025
Journal Article

Overview

This one-hour, on-demand, journal article-based activity examines findings from 22 published case reports on the effects of inhalant use during pregnancy. It explores the impact on maternal health, fetal development, neonatal outcomes, and early childhood. Findings indicate that prenatal inhalant exposure increases the risk of obstetric complications and adversely affects both physical and mental development in newborns. Limited data are available on long-term childhood outcomes. Inhalant use often co-occurs with alcohol use, potentially contributing to overlapping fetal syndromes. Inhalant use during pregnancy leads to significant adverse effects on both the parent and fetus. Prospective studies are needed to better define these outcomes, reduce stigma, improve equitable access to treatment, and identify effective interventions. 

The target audience for this intermediate continuing education activity includes: physicians, nurse practitioners, physician associates, pharmacists and other clinicians, researchers, students, and policymakers. 

This activity addresses the following ACGME Core Competencies: Patient Care, Medical Knowledge, Systems-Based Practice

Abstract

Aims 
Inhalants are often used for their psychoactive effects, producing feelings of euphoria. Inhalant and solvent use is a serious public health concern, especially in pregnant people. Because inhalants and solvents are not used in isolation, it has been difficult to elucidate the unique effects of inhalants relative to other psychoactive substances. However, the data do suggest that inhalants and/or solvents pose a health risk to the mother, fetus, and child. The impact of inhalant use by pregnant people has not been adequately investigated, with few effective interventions for pregnant people or their children available.

Methods
A systematic review was conducted on March 1, 2023 in six databases: APA PsycInfo (EBSCOhost), the Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature Plus with Full Text (EBSCOhost), Embase (Elsevier), PubMed, and Scopus (Elsevier) using relevant keywords. The search yielded 1101 unique references with 22 pertinent studies.

Results
Analysis of case reports has shown that inhalant use during pregnancy can lead to potential adverse effects including premature births, fetal and neonatal growth restriction, a “fetal solvent syndrome” similar to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and developmental delays.

Conclusion
Prenatal inhalant use deserves additional study to promote greater understanding of the disorder, reduce stigma, increase equitable access to treatment, and prevent inhalant use disorder and the harms associated with it.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, learners will be able to:

1. Identify the risks of inhalant exposure during pregnancy and its effects on both the pregnant person and the child. 
2. Evaluate the complications and stigma associated with inhalant use to improve equitable access to treatment and enhance care for affected individuals.

Registration Rates

*Residents, Fellows-in-training, Interns, and Students must join ASAM to receive a discounted registration rate. Click here to become an ASAM member. National and Chapter membership dues apply. There is no charge for Students to become a Member, but verification of student status is required.

Membership Question?  Call ASAM at 1.301.656.3920, email us, or view the ASAM website for more information.

Refunds & Cancellations

All ASAM eLearning Center refund requests must be made in writing to education@asam.org within 90 days of purchase. Those requesting refunds for courses that are in progress will receive partial refunds or eLearning Center credit. Automatic full refunds will be made for any course with a live-course component that has been canceled.

Open Registration: 02/03/2025 - 02/03/2028

Close Access Date: 03/03/2028

Course Instructions

1. Click on the Contents tab to begin this activity.
2. Click View Journal Article and read the journal article in its entirety. 
3. Click Complete Post Test to answer multiple choice questions. Participants will have 10 attempts to pass and must answer 2 out of 3 questions correctly.
4. Click Complete Evaluation to provide valuable activity feedback. Scroll down on all questions as there may be answer options that expand past the size of the window.
5. Click the button Claim Medical Credits in the box titled Claim Credits & Certificate. Choose the type of credit and click submit. Click the button View/Print Certificate to save or print your certificate. You can view/print your certificate at any time by visiting the ASAM eLearning Center, clicking Dashboard, and clicking Transcript/Achievements.

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Accreditation & Credits

Joint Accreditation Statement

In support of improving patient care, the American Society of Addiction Medicine is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Credits Available

• Physicians: 1.00 Credit
• Nurses & NPs: 1.00 Nursing Contact Hour
• PAs: 1.00 Credit
• Interprofessional Continuing Education: 1.00 Credit
• Certified Counselors: NBCC Contact Hours Not Offered

  

  American Society of Addiction Medicine has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7062. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. American Society of Addiction Medicine is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Maintenance of Certification (MOC)/Continuing Certification Program (CCP)

This activity is designed to meet the requirements for MOC/CCP for several primary physician boards and for state licensing CME requirements. MOC Credit is only reported and designated for ABA, ABP, ABIM, and ABS. By completing the online credit application and evaluation, the learner permits ASAM to report credits to the appropriate Board. Learn more.

• ABIM MOC Points: 1.00 Medical Knowledge
• ABP MOC: 1.00 Lifelong Learning & Self-Assessment
• ABS Continuing Certification: 1.00 Accredited CME
• ABA MOCA 2.0®*: 1.00 Lifelong Learning
  MOCA 2.0® is a trademark of the American Board of Anesthesiology®.
  This activity contributes to the CME requirement for Part II: Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment of the American Board of Anesthesiology's (ABA) redesigned Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology Program® (MOCA®), known as MOCA 2.0®. Please consult the ABA website, https://www.theaba.org/, for a list of all MOCA 2.0 requirements.

Additionally, this activity has been designed to satisfy the requirements of the following primary physician board certification requirements. Please confirm with your individual Board.

• American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM)
• American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM)
• American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN)
• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)

Certificates for other professions

All participants may request a certificate of participation upon completion of the activity and an online evaluation confirming their participation. Learners are strongly advised to contact their professional licensing board or professional association to confirm this certificate will be accepted as evidence supporting continuing education requirements.

California Association for Drug/Alcohol Educators (CAADE)

This educational program is approved by CAADE: #CP40 999 1225.

California Association of DUI Treatment Centers (CADTP)

This educational program is approved by CADTP: #205.

California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP)

This educational program is approved by CCAPP: #OS-20-330-0227.

Disclosure Information

In accordance with the disclosure policies of ASAM and Joint Accreditation, the effort is made to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all accredited continuing education activities. These policies include identifying and mitigating all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies for those involved in the creation and dissemination of accredited continuing education. 

See the attached article and pdf for a list of disclosures.