can coffee hurt children?

Answer 1

In adolescents, caffeine use modestly increases blood pressure during the day (which is predominantly controlled by sympathetic tone --adrenaline, mental state, etc.-- and is typically harmless in healthy individuals) but has little or no persistent effect at night (which is predominantly controlled by cardiovascular factors, and is more indicative of essential hypertension). The effect is stronger in groups (e.g. blacks) more at risk for essential hypertension, but his probably reflects an underlying weakness in BP homeostasis. Caffeine (including soda, etc.) should probably be eliminated from the diets of anyone with nightime or essential hypertension. A headache on awakening is just one symptom to be wary of, if this is a concern (it is not a specific sign, but it's worth checking out) I am not aware of any longitudinal studies indicating that prolonged early caffeine use predisposes to later hypertension.

However, I consider it important to note that caffeine can increase the cardiac irritability produced by over-the-counter and prescription drugs, herbal beverages or supplements (e.g. guarana, now a common additive, and ephedra, recently restricted), dietary aids, "athletic enhancers", etc. For most healthy adolescents the effects are small or unnoticed, but they should be well-heeded if they occur, because of the enormity of the potential (rare) effects. This effect is not limited to adolescents and college students, but they often seem to be less responsive to unpleasant experiences in the face of percieved benefits, and are an at-risk group for "pharmacological enhancement"

Caffeine can have adverse effects on mood, and initial sleep quality, especially if subjects are somewhat sleep deprived. IMHO, one of the great unrecognized problems of adolescents --partly responsible for the stereotyped image of the age group-- is a lack of sleep. A 16 yo generally needs MORE sleep than a 12 yo, but social demands [high school starts earlier, and after school/social activities run later), intrapersonal expectations (staying up later is seen as a mark of adulthood), and interpersonal/familal expectation (teenagers are expected to be more like adults, even though they may temporarily be more physiological different from adults during adolescence than they were earlier) In short strokes: we know that small children need naps and long sleep "because their bodies are changing fast" but we don't accept that the same applies to teens. While a teenager may sleep 10-12 hours a day due to anxiety/avoidance or depression, this may actually be close to the optimal for their physiological needs at some (perhaps unpredicatable) times during adolescence. [A few studies have shown a greater effect of caffeine on the mood of males than females]

Several studies in college age women (a conveniently available group) showed an increase in urinary excretion of calcium, but either no, or a trivially small, effect on bone mineral density, in either low or high calcium intake groups. More to the point at hand, studies in females 12-18 showed no difference in bone gain or anthropometric measures between low, medium or high caffeine intake. The primary effect of caffeine on bone density increases in later decades (middle aged, post-menopausal, elderly) I do recall a flurry of concern after some Japanese studies several years back, but I believe those studies were not confirmed on follow-up, and given the body of US studies, probably don't apply to the general US population.

Since you have younger children as well, you might be interested in this review article on the effects of caffiene on younger children.

Generally, I'd advise observing the effects on your own child, while recognizing that parental observations are often not as objective or accurate as most parents believe they are. (I could say the same for subjective physician impressions)

Incidentally, I was surprised to find that Red Bull (containing taurine, glucuronolactone, and caffeine) has actually been shown to have significant benefits in concentration, exercise endurance and mood over caffeine alone in several (apparently unsponsored) studies. However, despite a belief common among young people, alcohol eradicates this effects. Performance with Red Bull plus alcohol were identical to alcohol alone. Just FYI

Answer 2

I grew up on coffee. I seem to be ok. Besides there ar tons of parents that don't give coffe to their children but fill them up with po and sweets.
I've read this article and I agree with it:

Is coffee good for children?

According to Vanderbilt’s Dr. Tomas DePaulis, and contrary perhaps to parents who usually try to keep coffee from children, it may not be that harmful. Like in the case of adults, it seems to improve concentration and may help children do a little better on tests for this reason. General mental performance outside of short-term tasks is not necessarily improved, however.

There is also an interesting recent finding from Brazil, according to Dr. DePaulis in Coffee: The New Health Food? that suggests that children who drink coffee with milk “are less likely to have depression than other children.”

There are negative effects of drinking coffee, most of which are associated with drinking large amounts of coffee. But for some people, and particularly for children, even 1 cup of coffee could have negative effects. And keep in mind that kids may be getting caffein from other sources, such as soft drinks.

The National Institute of Health says “a child’s caffeine consumption should be closely monitored. Although caffeine is safe to consume in moderation, it may negatively affect a child’s nutrition. Caffeinated beverages may be replacing nutrient-dense foods such as milk. A child may also eat less because caffeine acts as an appetite suppressant. Caffeine can be completely restricted in a child’s diet since there is no nutritional requirement for it. This may be necessary for a hyperactive child as caffeine is a stimulant.”

Answer 3

I would have to lean on the side of no. Caffeine is technically a drug because it is addictive. If kids are given coffee they will start to get addicted after about 10 cups. I wouldn't say it would hurt them but you would have a heck of an argument about them wanting coffee and you didn't want to give it to them. I would say don't give it to them and if you really want to give them coffee give them decaf.

Answer 4

Caffeine isn't good for anyone, especially kids. There is a lot in soft drinks and tea too, but people don't seem to think it exists only in coffee. Caffeine will make them hyper as it does adults.

Answer 5

Take her to the doctor. She is probably fine, especially if she was crying, and otherwise acting normally. But if she has a severe black eye you probably want to have her checked out for mild concussion or a cheekbone fracture. At the least you want to call a doctor. Instead of asking for medical advice from a bunch of unknown strangers on a Yahoo message board.

Answer 6

No. Not at all, i started drinking coffee when i was 9.

Answer 7

It's best to keep their caffeine consumption to a minimum, but I drank coffee all the time as a little kid (my grandparents gave it to me) and I'm just fine. I'm a coffee addict, though!

Answer 8

caffine is really bad for children, becaus eit could stop the child from growing taller than he or she already is. i have a friend who drinks coffee all the time and shes really short.

Answer 9

coffee?not healthy any way don't drink it or don't give some to a child. I like the smell though:-) ;-)

Answer 10

If they drink too much, yeah. Kind of like drinking too much soda, I would think, because of all that caffeine.

But I don't think they would like the taste. I tried it once when I was younger and I hated it.