Study: Caffeine use among children spiking

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A new warning for parents after researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital have tracked a sharp increase in calls to poison centers across the nation 

The substance may come as a bit of a surprise – caffeine.  

Researchers with Nationwide Children’s Hospital looked at 12 years’ worth of data from centers nationwide totaling more than 32,000 calls. The data revealed a 17% increase in calls for caffeine energy products. The same data revealed exposure calls for the powdered type of caffeine increased significantly by 633%.  

“The common effects we saw were agitation, nausea, vomiting advance heart rate but there were 22 reports of seizures,” Dr. Hannah Hays, medical director with the Central Ohio Poison Center, said. “Once the caffeine is absorbed into the stomach into the body after the ingestion, it can enter into the central nervous system and impact the brain and cause clinical effects and changes that we commonly see.”  

Hays recommends treating highly caffeinated products and caffeine powders like you would a prescription drug – keep it away from children.  

“The best way to keep children safe from energy products is to keep them out of the home,” Hays said. “If you choose to keep them in the home, store them home away from children up high, out of sight, and preferably in a locked container.”   

To read the full study, click here. 

To reach the Central Ohio Poison Center, call 1-800-222-1222.