More Children Hospitalized For Consuming Energy Drinks

Previous studies have discussed the dangers of energy drinks. These beverages are not only loaded with excessive amounts of caffeine and sugar, but they can also increase the risk of cardiac and neurological problems--particularly in children.

"Exposure to energy drinks is a continuing health problem," said lead study author and pediatrician Dr. Steven Lipshultz is the pediatrician-in-chief at Children's Hospital of Michigan, in a news release.

"You normally think of teens and young adults as most likely to drink them, but we found that about half of the calls to the national poison control data system for caffeinated energy drinks related to unintentional exposure for children less than 6," he added via the Diabetes Insider, noting that children who drink something like this usually come across it by chance.

Based on 5,156 reported cases of energy drink exposure, cardiovascular effects were reported in about 57 percent of cases, while neurological effects were found in about 55 percent. Seizures, irregular heart rhythms and even dangerously high blood pressure were also reported among other issues.

Researchers discovered the results based on analyzation of the last three years of the American Association of Poison Control Centers' National Poison Data System, which contains information from public exposures to health care providers on 55 poison control centers throughout the United States.

Though researchers reiterated that they were unable to determine if children were voluntarily or purposely receiving energy drinks from parents or other elders, kids may drink them out of the can thinking they are the same as other soft drinks.