A new study (released by Epic Research) shows there’s been a recent and significant increase in “caffeine-related” emergency room visits among children and adolescents.1
Gimme the Stats:
Specifically, the study showed that the number of caffeine-related ER visits for middle-school-aged kids and high-schoolers nearly doubled from 2017-2023.2
PediaTrivia: Interestingly, boys had 3 TIMES more caffeine-related ER visits than girls.3
Reality Check: Despite the alarming stats above, the number of caffeine-related ER visits remains low overall. Still, this spike is concerning and is something for us parents (and doctors) to keep on our radar, even for our youngest kids.
Why is This Increase in Caffeine-Related ER Visits Happening?
It’s thought that the rise in popularity of energy drinks (which often contain high levels of caffeine) is a major contributing factor. These beverages are readily accessible to kids and marketed to their demographic (ugh!).
Moreover, kids and their parents are often unaware that caffeine can cause enough problems to require a trip to the emergency room.
How Much Caffeine Are We Talking About?
The amount of caffeine that can lead to a child needing to go to the emergency room depends on several factors, including the child’s age, weight, overall health, and tolerance to caffeine.
- The threshold for a caffeine overdose is typically considered to be more than 3mg of caffeine per pound of body weight.4
For example, a child weighing 50 pounds could be at risk for a caffeine overdose if they consume more than 150 mg of caffeine (about 1.5 cups of coffee or 2-3 energy drinks, depending on their caffeine content).
- Note: Energy Drinks can contain anywhere from 50 mg to a whooping 300 mg of caffeine per serving, and there are often multiple servings in a single large can. This makes energy drinks particularly dangerous when they’re consumed in excess by children.
What are the Signs of Caffeine Toxicity (and When to Seek Emergency Treatment)?
Signs Include (But Aren’t Limited To):
- An increased heart rate (fancy name: tachycardia)
- Heart palpitations
- High blood pressure (aka hypertension)
- Severe headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Anxiety and restlessness
- Insomnia (trouble sleeping)
- Seizures and cardiac arrest (in extreme cases)
Heads Up: If a child exhibits any of these symptoms after consuming caffeine, seek medical help ASAP.
What Can I Do, as a Parent, To Prevent a Caffeine Overdose?
1. Monitor Your Child’s Caffeine Intake.
2. Get Wise About the Caffeine Content in Different Drinks and Foods.
Coffee isn’t the only source of caffeine. There is caffeine (to a lesser extent) in things like tea, chocolate, hot cocoa, and sodas.
3. Know Your Terms:
Just because something is labeled “decaffeinated” doesn’t mean it that it’s totally caffeine-free. For example, “decaf” coffees and teas have less caffeine than their regular counterparts, but they still contain some caffeine. For example, there are about 2 to 15 milligrams of caffeine in an 8-fluid-ounce cup of decaf coffee.
4. Teach Your Child About the Negative Side Effects of Caffeine (As Described Above).
5. Encourage Your Child to Choose Non-Caffeinated Beverages (Over Caffeinated Ones).
6. Know the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (the AAP’s) Caffeine Guidelines for Children:
The AAP Says That:
- Kids 12 Years & Under should avoid caffeine entirely.
- Teens 13-18 Years are advised to limit their caffeine intake to about 100 mg per day. This is the amount of caffeine in approximately one 8-ounce cup of coffee.5
- ALL kids & teens should steer clear of energy drinks, since they’re unregulated and typically have high amounts of caffeine in them.
The Bottom Line
Just because WE might not be able to “live without” our morning cup of coffee, doesn’t mean that caffeine-laden beverages are healthy (or safe) for kids. If your child does consume a bunch of caffeine in one sitting and experiences any of the symptoms of caffeine toxicity listed above, seek medical attention right away.
