Inhalants are often used for their psychoactive effects, producing feelings of euphoria. Inhalant and solvent use is a serious public health concern, yet little is known about their effects on perinatal, fetal, and child outcomes. The aim of our review is to evaluate the impact of inhalant use by pregnant people on maternal, fetal, neonatal, and early childhood outcomes.
Methods
A systematic review was conducted on March 1, 2023, in 6 databases using relevant keywords. Bias assessment was performed using JBI Critical Appraisal Tools. Studies were included if they described a prenatal exposure to an inhalant; focused on maternal, fetal, neonatal, or early childhood outcomes; and were published as peer-reviewed reports in English.
Results
The search yielded 1101 unique references with 22 studies meeting eligibility criteria and representing 205 pregnancies and 171 infants.
The most common symptom of inhalant use reported in pregnant people was altered mentation, followed by renal tubular acidosis (RTA) reported with toluene use. Most common fetal outcomes included fetal growth restriction and preterm delivery (