Kids must steer clear of glycerol-laden slushies, warns recent study.

Children under the age of eight should steer clear of indulging in slushies, doctors are cautioning. The vibrant, icy beverages are a favorite among kids, but they contain a sweetener called glycerol, which can lead to serious illness in young children. Research conducted on 21 cases of children aged two to seven who required emergency medical treatment after consuming slushy drinks has prompted calls for revised official health advice. These drinks are formulated to prevent them from freezing solid by using glycerol instead of sugar, creating the slushy texture that kids love. The study, published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, revealed that all the children who fell ill after consuming slushies experienced symptoms of glycerol intoxication syndrome, including loss of consciousness, low blood sugar, and in severe cases, seizures. Hospitalization was required for all the children, but fortunately, they all recovered and were discharged with instructions to avoid slushies. The lead author of the study, Professor Ellen Crushell, believes that the cases observed may only be the beginning, as there could be numerous children experiencing milder symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Paediatricians recommend refraining from giving slushy drinks to children under the age of eight to avoid any potential risks associated with glycerol. It is challenging for parents to calculate the amount of glycerol present in these drinks, making it hard to determine a safe dose based on a child's weight. Therefore, the researchers suggest adjusting the advice to be based on age rather than weight. Dr. Sally Anne Wilson from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine also supports increasing the minimum age for consuming slushies to simplify the guidelines for parents. She emphasized the importance of being aware of the risks associated with glycerol consumption, especially when children are consuming these drinks at high levels. In light of this research, the Food Standards Agency is reviewing its guidelines and urging parents to adhere to the current advice of not giving slushies to children under the age of four. Retailers are also encouraged to ensure that parents are well informed about these recommendations to keep children safe. slushies, children, health, glycerol, warning