Frozen popular drink associated with children’s disease, study findings

A popular wine treatment can contain hidden risks to the health of children, a new study warns.

Researchers at Dublin University College performs a compilation of 21 children who became ill between 2009 and 2024 after consuming a “clumsy ice drink”.

A large majority of children, none of whom had existing medical conditions, became ill within an hour drinking.

Patients, who were 2 to 6 years old, all received medical treatment in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The most widespread symptoms include acute decreased consciousness, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), metabolic acidosis (the construction of lactic acid in the bloodstream), pseudohyperglyceridaemia (false triglicis) and hypocalama (low levels), which were published in the field), in childhood.

“The children had very low blood sugar levels, they were unconscious (one had a seizure) and had high levels of lactate in their blood,” said study author Lead Ellen Crushell, a pediatrician in Ireland of children and a clinical professor at University College Dublin, said Fox News.

“They had high levels of glycerin in their blood and urine when they were sick, who disappeared when they recovered. They were well healed but needed hospitalization and intravenous liquids.”

Researchers concluded that the consumption of slow ice drinks containing glycerin can cause a syndrome called intoxication of glycerin.

Most children (95%) had no constant symptoms as they avoid drinks.

What is glycerin?

“Glycerin is used as sweetener and to maintain the semi -frozen structure of some (not all) ice drinks,” Crushell said.

“It is most often used in recent years as a sugar substitute,” she noted. “Large doses can be harmful to young children.”

The effect of sudden illness after consuming a slow drink was never reported in medical literature, noted Crushell.

This study had some restrictions, the researchers admitted.

“The numbers are small and include only the most sick children who were brought to the emergency departments and who referred to specialists in inherited metabolic disorders,” Crushell said.

“They referred because their symptoms were similar to those of some rare metabolic diseases. We do not know the extent of children who can develop mildly symptoms.”

The other limitation is that the amount of glycerin swallowed in various full drinks is unknown, she added.

Recommendations for parents

Crushell said smooth ice drinks “do not convey health benefits at any age” and are not recommended as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

The UK Food Standards Agency and the Ireland Food Safety Authority (FSAI) have both issued guidance recommending that children aged 4 and under it avoids consuming ice ice -containing drinks, and that children 5 should only drink them in moderation.

“The use of icy cars by children at home should be monitored,” Crushell advised. “Parents and guardians should check the constituents of syrups used to make slow pieces at home for the presence of glycerin and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.”

Researchers hope that this new study can lead to the development of new policies and guidelines on swallowing glycerin.

Fox News Digital reached the US Food and Drug Administration and a leading slow commentary manufacturer.