Caffeine Negatively Affects Children’s Sleep

New research published in the Journal of Pediatrics found 75 percent of survey respondents reported their children consume caffeine on a daily basis and it may negatively impact the sleep of some children.

Researchers at University of Nebraska Medical Center surveyed parents of more than 200 children between ages 5 and 12 during routine clinical visits at a UNMC pediatric clinic. The parents were asked to report the types and amounts of snacks and beverages their child consumed on a daily basis.

“Some children as young as 5 years old were consuming the equivalent of a can of soda a day," they said. “Many children between the ages of 8 and 12 years consumed an average of about three 12-ounce cans of soda per day."

Researchers also found that caffeine was not linked to bedwetting in these children. “Even though caffeine is a diuretic, we didn’t find a statistically significant link between caffeine consumption and bedwetting," they said. “Given the preliminary nature of these data, until they are replicated, I will maintain my recommendation that children who wet the bed should curtail, if not abstain from caffeinated beverages, especially as bedtime approaches."

The concluded parents need to be more careful in monitoring what their children eat and drink. “Children don’t need to be drinking caffeine. If a child is having sleep difficulties, it becomes even more important for parents to be aware of caffeine intake," they said.

Sources:

* University of Nebraska Medical Center: UNMC study shows 75 percent of children surveyed consume caffeine on a daily basis