A new study shows that parents are calling for more awareness and solutions as children under six years old were more exposed to caffeine energy products from 2011 to 2023.
The study in question was published on Jan. 31, 2025, in the Journal of Medical Toxicology and found that the majority of exposures within the time frame it monitored were among children under six years of age. This is an age that experts argue is too young to ingest caffeine.
Kids Being Exposed to Caffeine Energy Products
A co-author of the study, Hannah Hays, MD, said that caffeine energy products are very different from coffees, teas, and sodas, mainly in the amount of caffeine that they contain. Hays noted that compared to soda, caffeine energy products typically contain significantly more caffeine in each serving.
It was also found that the massive disparity of exposures in kids under six years (98%) was unintentional. This is also the same case for the majority of exposures to six to 12-year-olds (56%). However, experts argued that the data should urge more people to raise awareness regarding the risks and proper storage of caffeine products, according to Parents.
The latest study was conducted by researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy of the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital in collaboration with the Central Ohio Poison Center. They examined reports to the center from 2011 to 2023 and found 32,482 cases of exposure to caffeine energy products.
The researchers also found that 70% of the exposures occurred in children under six, 57% in males, and 58% in liquid formulations.
Another thing that they found is that the overall exposure to caffeine increased by 17%, and exposure to certain products rose significantly, with the most significant jump with caffeine-containing powders or granules, which increased by 633%, Medical Xpress reported.
Why Are Young Children at Risk?
Hays noted that this massive increase in exposure to this particular product includes items such as pre-workout powders and powdered caffeine that people usually add to their drinks. She argued that due to unclear dosing instructions or preparation errors, overdoses happen.
The researcher added that young kids could mistake concentrated powder or granules for food items due to their curiosity and exploratory nature. The study showed that while the majority of exposures (81%) were not treated inside a healthcare facility, some (1.6%) had to be medically treated.
Hays noted that the best way to keep these products away from children and avoid unintended exposures is not to have them in the house in the first place. But if people still choose to get them, they should be stored somewhere young children are not able to get them, as per WBRZ.
