THE head of public health in Glasgow has issued a warning about the dangers of children drinking high-strength energy drinks.

 

Health professionals have expressed concern about numbers of young children and teenagers drinking caffeinated energy drinks.

Paediatric A&E consultants said they had seen children admitted after consuming the drinks mixed with alcohol.

The amount of caffeine in an energy drink can range from 75 milligrams to over 200 milligrams per serving. This compares to 34 milligrams in Coke.

The Evening Times has heard reports of children drinking up to five cans in a day, not eating breakfast and starting the day with the drink.

In adults caffeine raises the heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature and has psychological effects such as anxiety and sleep disturbances.

However few studies have been done on the effects on children.

Dr Linda de Caestecker, Director of Public Health for NHSGGC, said: "High energy drinks should be avoided by children due to their high caffeine content.

"Some may also have high sugar content so contribute to obesity. They are unnecessary for young children."

She added that while A&E consultants were not aware of any attendances due to caffeine overdose, hospitals had seen instances of children under 16 admitted due to the use of stimulants, including caffeinated drinks, mixed with alcohol.

Last year a 19-year-old, in England, died in his sleep and an inquest found he had been drinking a high-caffeine energy drink called Animal Rage to boost his fitness work-outs.

Campaigners have called for the drinks to be banned from sale to youngsters.

A major study found one in ten British teenagers consumes four to five energy drinks a week.

Younger children are following suit: one in four under-tens - 24% - has had at least one energy drink in the past year, compared with the European average of 18%.

Some teachers have complained about the effect on behaviour and concentration.

A 2011 study in America reported on a number of cases where excessive caffeine consumption in energy drinks had been associated with effects such as 'seizures, mania, stroke and sudden death'