Direct Clinical Health Effects of the Consumption of Alcohol Mixed With Energy Drink in Dutch Adolescents

ABSTRACT

The direct clinical health effects of alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED) consumption are largely unknown. Using data from a nationwide questionnaire, two groups were compared: adolescents who consumed an energy drink at the event (ED+) and adolescents who did not (ED–). Blood alcohol concentration (BAC), duration of loss of consciousness, mean age, sex ratio, and habitual characteristics did not differ between the groups. In the ED+ group, more adolescents had lower education and drugs were used twice as often. Consumption of AmED with relatively low doses of caffeine does not lead to higher BAC in Dutch adolescents presenting to the hospital with alcohol intoxication.

KEYWORDS:

• adolescents
• alcohol intoxication
• alcohol mixed with energy drink
• direct clinical health effects

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Dutch Pediatric Surveillance System (NSCK) for the completion of the NSCK database and all the pediatricians who completed the questionnaire.