OBJECTIVES

: Children in Bulgaria have unrestrained access to energy drinks (ED). This has resulted in several cases of ED overdose presenting with symptoms of caffeine intoxication including chest pain, tachycardia, elevated blood pressure and tremor in the Pediatric Emergency Department in UMBALSM “N. I. Pirogov”. The aim is to assess the patterns of energy drink consumption in children, adverse reactions to ED and evaluate the effectiveness of current policy on ED distribution to children.

METHODS

803 subjects responded to a direct individual anonymous questionnairedistributed online to children and adolescents via social media networks. The questions revealed the major patterns in the consumption of energy drinks, the incidence of adverse effects and the level of guidance children receive.

RESULTS

The mean age of the responders was 16 (9-18 yrs.).65% of the responders tried ED at least once. Even though only 3.8% of the children consider ED as completely safe, 14% of the children consume ED regularly (once per week or more). Especially risky is the group of 8%, who consume one or more ED daily. 76.6% of the children consuming ED reported some type of adverse effect – most common being - 21.7% palpitations, 15 % tremor, other reactions were headache, insomnia, chest pain and anxiety. Results show that girls were more susceptible to adverse reactions 72% of palpitations were felt by girls. 49% of the children are consume ED in the presence of a parent, yet only 23% reported some restriction or warning when buying an ED.

CONCLUSIONS

:

The results demonstrate an urgent need to update the policy on ED distribution to children in order to protect them from the possible health complications. A serious effort from all involved is necessary to educate children and adolescents of the possible risks of excessive ED consumption and to recognize the first signs of a possible caffeine intoxication.