A recent study recommends that children under 8 avoid slushy drinks with added sugars.
Researchers from University College Dublin, led by Patricia E. Fitzsimons, published their findings after studying 21 children in the UK and Ireland who sought medical attention between 2009 and 2020 after consuming slushy drinks.
The study revealed that 93% of the children developed acute health issues, requiring emergency room visits within an hour of consuming slushy beverages. Notably, none of these children had any pre-existing medical conditions.
The researchers found glycerol in all of the children’s urine samples. Glycerol is a sugar substitute used to prevent drinks from freezing. Rapid consumption of glycerol can cause severe symptoms, including shock, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and fainting.
Some children diagnosed with glycerol poisoning lost consciousness, experienced dangerously low blood sugar levels, and even developed blood acidification. Four children underwent brain scans, and one suffered a seizure. Fortunately, the remaining children were discharged without further complications.
The research team emphasized that children consuming slushy drinks containing glycerol may develop a condition known as glycerol toxicity syndrome, which can cause altered consciousness, low blood sugar, and lactic acidosis. They urged healthcare providers, parents, and public health officials to help prevent children under 8 from consuming these beverages.
This important study was published in the March issue of the well-regarded medical journal Archives of Disease in Childhood.