The call to the US poison centers over the consumption of energy drinks among children has spiked to around 20% in 2023, an alarming increase, according to new data released by America’s Poison Centers.
This sharp increase is particularly alarming considering that the call volume has remained relatively consistent in previous years.
The America’s Poison Centers reported a total of 2,834 calls in 2023, a substantial rise from the 2,323 calls recorded in 2022.Energy drinks such as Red Bull and Monster contain significantly higher levels of caffeine compared to regular soda or coffee, which can pose serious health risks to children.
Energy drinks like Red Bull and Monster contain much higher levels of caffeine than the standard soda or coffee — which can be dangerous for children, New York Post reported.
Both the Food Drug Administration and the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommend that children and even teenagers refrain from consuming these high-energy beverages to avoid caffeine-related complications, including caffeine poisoning and, in severe cases, cardiac arrest. However, the visually appealing packaging of these drinks sometimes leads to unintentional consumption by children.
In 2023, approximately 48% of the calls regarding children drinking energy drinks were reported as accidental ingestion, with the rate of cases nearly doubling for 6-year-olds and 12-year-olds. Symptoms of a potential caffeine overdose include increased heart rate, heart palpitations, elevated blood pressure, anxiety, and rapid breathing.
The FDA considers a daily intake of 400 mg of caffeine, equivalent to two to three cups of regular coffee, to be safe for adults. However, a single can of Monster Energy contains 160 mg of caffeine, while Bang boasts an alarming 300 mg per can.
Caffeine overdose is a rising concern. Unregulated sale of performance-enhancing drugs opens the way for overdose, aided by the lack of information provided to users. Its adverse effects range from mild neuropsychiatric symptoms to hemodynamic instability due to malignant dysrhythmias and uncontrolled vasodilation. Management requires close monitoring and organ support, tailored to each patient’s manifestations of the wide range of symptoms, according to the National Library of Medicine.
This sharp increase is particularly alarming considering that the call volume has remained relatively consistent in previous years.
The America’s Poison Centers reported a total of 2,834 calls in 2023, a substantial rise from the 2,323 calls recorded in 2022.Energy drinks such as Red Bull and Monster contain significantly higher levels of caffeine compared to regular soda or coffee, which can pose serious health risks to children.
Energy drinks like Red Bull and Monster contain much higher levels of caffeine than the standard soda or coffee — which can be dangerous for children, New York Post reported.
Both the Food Drug Administration and the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommend that children and even teenagers refrain from consuming these high-energy beverages to avoid caffeine-related complications, including caffeine poisoning and, in severe cases, cardiac arrest. However, the visually appealing packaging of these drinks sometimes leads to unintentional consumption by children.
In 2023, approximately 48% of the calls regarding children drinking energy drinks were reported as accidental ingestion, with the rate of cases nearly doubling for 6-year-olds and 12-year-olds. Symptoms of a potential caffeine overdose include increased heart rate, heart palpitations, elevated blood pressure, anxiety, and rapid breathing.
The FDA considers a daily intake of 400 mg of caffeine, equivalent to two to three cups of regular coffee, to be safe for adults. However, a single can of Monster Energy contains 160 mg of caffeine, while Bang boasts an alarming 300 mg per can.
Caffeine overdose is a rising concern. Unregulated sale of performance-enhancing drugs opens the way for overdose, aided by the lack of information provided to users. Its adverse effects range from mild neuropsychiatric symptoms to hemodynamic instability due to malignant dysrhythmias and uncontrolled vasodilation. Management requires close monitoring and organ support, tailored to each patient’s manifestations of the wide range of symptoms, according to the National Library of Medicine.
Source : Times of India
