A new report has surfaced that shows potential dangers associated with energy drinks when they are consumed by children and teenagers.
Doctors are cautioning against the use of such drinks by children and teens. The report claims that effects on youth have not been studied enough and that too much caffeine or caffeine-like products can cause heart palpitations, seizures, strokes, or sudden death in young people. Medical journal Pediatrics includes reports from doctors who poured over data they received from the government and special interest groups, scientific reports, case reports, and articles from various media outlets.
Numerous reports have surfaced indicating some teens have been hospitalized after consuming energy drinks. MSNBC is reporting that a teen was hospitalized for five days last year after he drank two large Nos brand energy drinks. His doctor reportedly believes the energy drink was to blame.  It is believed that the teen suffered a seizure, leading to hospitalization.
The report from Pediatrics states that some cans of energy drinks contain four to five times as much caffeine as soft drinks. Its authors are calling on pediatricians to begin asking patients and their parents if they consume energy drinks and if they do, to begin advising them of the dangers associated with the products.
Energy drinks routinely contain ingredients that can enhance the jittery effects of caffeine or that may have other side effects that include nausea and diarrhea. Â Some medical professionals believe the energy drinks should be regulated just as tobacco, alcohol and prescription medication.
The report from Pediatrics follows a multi-state crackdown on energy drinks containing alcohol and caffeine, marketed to teens and young adults. The Food & Drug Administration has sent warning letters to manufacturers due to recent alcohol overdoses.
An excerpt from the Pediatrics study indicates, “Energy drinks have no therapeutic benefit, and many ingredients are understudied and not regulated. The known and unknown pharmacology of agents included in such drinks, combined with reports of toxicity, raises concern for potentially serious adverse effects in association with energy-drink use. In the short-term, pediatricians need to be aware of the possible effects of energy drinks in vulnerable populations and screen for consumption to educate families. Long-term research should aim to understand the effects in at-risk populations. Toxicity surveillance should be improved, and regulations of energy-drink sales and consumption should be based on appropriate research.â€
To read more about the study in the Pediatrics journal, visit http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/peds.2009-3592v1.
