First-Onset Seizure After Use of an Energy Drink [corrected]

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2011 Jun;27(6):539-40. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0b013e31821dc72b.

Abstract

The health consequences of energy drink use in adolescents are unknown. We discuss an adverse event in an adolescent who presented to the emergency department with his first-ever seizure after consumption of 5-Hour Energy. We review the typical presentation of caffeine toxicity, as well as the importance of screening for energy drink use in adolescents with appropriate clinical findings. We pay particular attention to the identification of energy drink-related adverse events in the emergency department and the need for subsequent reporting to the Food and Drug Administration. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an adolescent presenting with a new-onset seizure associated with energy drink use.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Caffeine / analysis
  • Caffeine / poisoning
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Energy Drinks / analysis
  • Energy Drinks / poisoning*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Seizures / chemically induced*
  • Seizures / diagnosis
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Caffeine