Calls to Poison Centers on the Rise for Pediatric Exposures to Caffeine Energy Products

Follow Drugslib on

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Feb 19, 2025.

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 19, 2025 -- Pediatric exposures to caffeine energy products reported to U.S. poison centers increased from 2011 to 2023, although most exposures had minimal clinical effects, according to a study published online Jan. 31 in the Journal of Medical Toxicology.

Timothy R. Thompson, from Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and colleagues investigated trends of pediatric exposures to caffeine energy products reported to U.S. poison centers. The analysis included data for 32,482 caffeine energy product single-substance exposures during 2011 to 2023 among individuals younger than 20 years old identified from the National Poison Data System.

The researchers found an increase of 17.3 percent in the exposure rate from 2011 to 2023. Most exposures occurred among children younger than 6 years (69.6 percent) and among males (56.7 percent), and most involved liquid formulations (57.5 percent). Most exposures (80.7 percent) were not treated at a health care facility, although 1.6 percent of exposures were medically admitted. Teenagers (13 to 19 years old) were more likely to be medically admitted (odds ratio [OR], 12.74) or have a serious medical outcome (OR, 18.83) compared to children younger than 13 years. Serious medical outcomes (OR, 1.98) and medical admission (OR, 5.23) were more likely with solid energy product formulations versus other types of formulations. The exposure rate among liquid formulation subcategories increased for beverages (46.5 percent) and decreased for shots (−86.1 percent).

"Opportunities exist to reduce the adverse effects of caffeine energy products among the pediatric population," the authors write.

Abstract/Full Text

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Posted : 2025-02-20 06:00

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords