Study finds link between stimulants and sudden unexplained death in young people

* Using a matched case-control design, investigators examined mortality data from 1985-1996, comparing 564 cases of sudden death in young people (ages 7 to 19) with 564 cases of young people dying as passengers in a motor vehicle accident. * In 10 (1.8%) of the sudden unexplained deaths, it was determined that the young person was taking stimulants, specifically methylphenidate. Use of stimulants was found in only 2 (0.4%) of the motor vehicle accident cases. * The case-controlled study provides support for an association between sudden unexplained death in young people and stimulant use.
A case-control study comparing 564 cases of sudden death in young people (ages 7-19) to young people dying as passengers in motor vehicle accidents found an association between the use [...]