A child who has tea, chocolate milk, or a soda with breakfast, or who eats chocolate candy, cookies, or cereal, may be experiencing the side effects of caffeine. As adults who drink coffee know, caffeine often is consumed for its stimulant effect. This effect can lead to enhanced alertness, energy, and increased ability to concentrate. However, caffeine can decrease a child's ability to perform tasks involving delicate muscular coordination, arithmetic skills, or accurate timing. Many health care providers, especially pediatricians, recommend that children avoid or limit caffeine use.
Caffeine is absorbed very quickly in the body and then passes into the central nervous system.
Severe caffeine toxicity can lead to seizures, an increased heart rate and an irregular heart beat. Caffeine does not accumulate in the bloodstream and is excreted in the urine within hours of being consumed. If a child does consume caffeine, the amount should be limited to 100 mg or less per day. Read the ingredient labels carefully on all beverages. You may be surprised to find that drinks such as fruit-flavored beverages may contain caffeine.