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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Doctors are warning parents about the dangers of caffeine-containing chewing gum following an Italian boy's hospitalization.
After consuming two packets of "energy" chewing gum, a 13-year-old boy was hospitalized after displaying unusually aggressive behavior and agitation, abdominal discomfort, painful urination and prickling sensations in his legs. His rapid heartbeat and breathing and raised blood pressure were also cause for concern. Three days later, he returned with a slow heartbeat and low left-ventrical ejection fraction, and appeared sleepy and sluggish.
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"The transient constellation of signs and symptoms in our patient was most likely secondary to acute intoxication of stimulant chewing gums," the study authors wrote.
Caffeine intoxication is said to occur after the consumption of 250 milligrams of caffeine. This boy was estimated to have consumed 320 milligrams of caffeine -- the equivalent of 10 cups of tea over four hours.
"The use of stimulant chewing gum should be considered in cases of caffeine intoxication," the authors wrote. "The risk of intoxication is high in children and teenagers in view of general caffeine-naivety, and the unrestricted sale of these substances."
SOURCE: The Lancet, 2009
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