Caffeine consumption in adolescents: from coffee to energy drinks and back again

In recent years the interest of pediatricians, parents and legislators on caffeine consumption in children has increased. As caffeine has several negative effects on the pediatric population, caffeine intake should be always discouraged in all children. Particularly, caffeine consumption should not exceed 45-85 mg/day in children 6-12 years old and 2.5 mg/kg/day (up to a maximum of 100 mg/day) in subjects older than 12 years. Of course, the daily intake of caffeine should consider all sources of this substance, mainly coffee, Soft Drinks (SD) and Energy Drinks (ED). Since no data are currently available on caffeine intake among Italian children and adolescents this study aimed at: 1) investigating the prevalence of pediatric subjects consuming caffeine on a daily basis; 2) estimating the amount of caffeine ingested; 3) identifying which beverage is the main source of caffeine.