OHIO — A recent study showed there's been a rise in exposure rates to caffeine energy products by people under 20 years old.

What You Need To Know

  • The study showed 32,482 caffeine energy product exposures reported from 2011-2023

  • Most of the exposures were among children under 6-years-old, ranking 70%

  • The study did not include coffee, tea or caffeinated soft drinks in the data

  • A majority of the exposures, 81%, were not treated in a health care facility; however, 1.6% were medically admitted with teenagers more likely to be admitted

The study, done by researchers at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital alongside the Central Ohio Poison Center, showed 32,482 caffeine energy product exposures were reported from 2011-2023, with an overall exposure rate increase of 17% during the study period.

However, the rates varied by the product formulation with a 35% increase for liquids, a 52% decrease for solids and a 633% increase for powders/granules. The study did not include coffee, tea or caffeinated soft drinks in the data.

"The increase in the powder/granules category includes products such as pre-workout powders and powdered caffeine that consumers can add to drinks. Because of unclear dosing instructions or preparation errors, overdose can occur,” said Dr. Hannah Hays, co-author of the study and medical director of the Central Ohio Poison Center. “Concentrated powder or granules may also be mistaken by a young child as a food item. Our study noted most exposures in children younger than 6 years (98%) and 6-12 years (56%) were unintentional across all caffeine categories, which is consistent with the natural curiosity and exploratory nature of these age groups."

Most of the exposures were among children under 6-years-old, ranking 70%. The rate of exposure for this age group increased by 20% from 2011-2023. Males also accounted for 57% of the exposures. The study also showed that liquid formulations accounted for 58% of the calls. Under liquid formulation subcategories, beverages' exposure rate increased, 47%, and the rate for shots decreased, -86%.

A majority of the exposures, 81%, were not treated in a health care facility; however, 1.6% were medically admitted with teenagers more likely to be admitted or have a serious medical outcome than children under the age of 13. 

Solid energy product formulations, such as capsules, tablets or crystals, were more likely to be associated with an admission or serious medical outcome. 

“The difference in the adolescent age group was that most exposures were intentional (61%),” said Hays. “Unfortunately, some of these exposures were self-harm attempts, and nearly all (94%) of reported self-harm attempts in this study were in the teen age group.”

Almost 64% of the 959 self-harm attempts were among females with 86% involving solid product formulations. Nationwide Children's said in a news release that these cases were more likely to be associated with a medical admission or serious outcome for other reasons for exposure combined.

“The high and increasing rate of exposure in this vulnerable age group indicates that caffeine energy products are accessible and attractive to young children,” said Hays. “Caffeine energy products should not have packaging that is appealing to young children and should be kept out of the sight and reach of young children.”

Nationwide Children's recommended several steps to prevent children's exposure to the products:

  • Talk to children and teens about caffeine energy products: explain through age-appropiate what the products are and why they can be dangerous
  • Store caffeine energy products safely: keep the products out of reach and out of sight of children
  • Don’t use these products in front of children
  • Save the national Poison Help Line number (1-800-222-1222) in your phone and post it in a visible place in your home