Concerns about the consumption of energy drinks and other beverages containing high levels of caffeine among youth have been re-ignited following the death of a 16-year-old South Carolina boy.
Davis Cripe died April 26th from a probable caffeine-induced heart arrhythmia after drinking a large Mountain Dew, a latte from McDonald's and an energy drink over a two-hour period before collapsing in his classroom.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is unequivocal in its position on caffeine-rich energy drinks, saying they should never be consumed by children or adolescents.
However, the chair of the Canadian Paediatric Society's drug therapy and hazardous substances committee says it has not developed a position statement on whether energy drinks are appropriate for children or teens.
Doctor Michael Reider says pediatricians are ``a bit unaware'' of how much caffeine there is in the average drink and how popular they are with young people.