Energy drinks are under-studied, overused and can be dangerous for children and teens.  

Dakota Sailor, 18, a high school senior in Carl Junction, Mo., says risks linked with energy drinks aren't just hype.

Sailor had a seizure and was hospitalized for five days last year after drinking two large energy drinks - a brand he'd never tried before.  

He said his doctor thinks caffeine or caffeine-like ingredients may have been to blame. Introduced more than 20 years ago, energy drinks are the fastest growing U.S. beverage market; 2011 sales are expected to top $9 billion.  

The American Association of Poison Control Centers adopted codes late last year to start tracking energy drink overdoses and side effects nationwide; 677 cases occurred from October through December; so far, 331 have been reported this year.

Most 2011 cases involved children and teens. Of the more than 300 energy drink poisonings this year, a quarter of them involved kids younger than 6.

A clinical report on energy drinks is expected soon from the American Academy of Pediatrics that may include guidelines for doctors.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limits the amount of caffeine in soda because it's classified as a food.  

But the FDA has no control over energy drinks because they're classified as dietary supplements.

Doctors said case studies show energy drinks can contain up to three times as much caffeine as soda. It's believed they have caused seizures, strokes, high blood pressure and heart palpitations. Doctors believe energy drinks could also cause sudden death among children with underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes, mood swings and migraines.

Denmark, Turkey and Uruguay have banned the beverages while Norway doesn't allow them to be sold to anyone under 15.

November 18, 2010 - 14-Year-Old Girl Killed in Car Wreck, as Caffeinated Booze Comes Under Scrutiny.

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September 2009 - Illinois - two teens accused of beating a classmate on a school bus in Belleville are expelled for the rest of this school year and all of next year. It is the maximum penalty allowed under Illinois law.  

The board's decision was unanimous.  

The two boys will not be allowed to attend school or any related function during the remainder of the 2009-2010 or the entire 2010-2011 school years.   

December 2009 - The Southern Poverty Law Center sued a Mississippi school district for violating the constitutional rights and derailing the promising academic and athletic career of a high school student over a tossed penny on a school bus.  

The school's actions stemmed from an incident that occurred while A.H. was riding the school bus home from Terry High. During the ride, A.H. and five other students were tossing coins back and forth. A penny landed on the bus driver, who was not injured. The school district subjected A.H. to a nearly hour-long interrogation during which the school's assistant principal threatened to pursue delinquency charges and call police unless he confessed, according to the lawsuit.  

Though A.H. said he did not throw the coin that landed on the bus driver, the school official pressured him to provide a false confession without notifying his parents or explaining his rights.

December 2010 - A 16 year-old honor roll student and cheerleader from Columbia Falls, Montana, faced expulsion from high school after she told school officials after she arrived for classes that she'd forgotten to remove her hunting rifle from her car after a Thanksgiving weekend hunt.  

Even though the rifle was unloaded, in its case and locked in the trunk of her car, and even though she brought the oversight to the attention of the school authorities, she was a victim of the school's no tolerance policy on guns.

Amanda Stiles, a sophomore at Parkway High in Shreveport, Louisiana, never gave a second thought to carrying Advil in her purse for her frequent headaches. At least she didn't until she was expelled from school for one year when the Advil was discovered in her purse by a teacher.

A Pittsburgh-area teenager has been suspended from middle school when a random search turned up an eyebrow shaver in her handbag.   

Officials at Linton Middle School in Penn Hills recommended at a disciplinary hearing that the 15-year-old be expelled for the rest of this year and 45 days next year. The teen said she doesn't consider the eyebrow trimmer a weapon. She fears expulsion will hurt her chances of becoming a nurse-anesthetist.  

She's a Girl Scout and a member of the school's basketball team, choir and leadership team. The school released a statement saying it has a standard disciplinary policy that addresses all students equally.   

January 2011 - A California wrestler has been expelled from his high school for using a controversial, but legal wrestling move called the "butt drag."  

Preston Hill, 17, also faces charges for sexual battery against his teammate during practice, and will go on trial. 

It's hard being a teen in our modern society. And, as a parent, we can't always prevent bad things from happening to our kids at school. There are so many negative influences and real frustrations.  

Peer interaction can prompt criminal and violent responses and before you know it you are getting a call that your child has been expelled from school.

Many U.S. Schools have a No Tolerance policy toward drugs and violent behavior.

Actually, a U.S. Department of Education study revealed that most expulsions in schools occurs because of violence or potential violent behavior involving possession of firearms, weapons or other destructive devices. Students can be expelled, per local school policies, for fighting, threats to harm others or the school, and for possession of illegal substances. Fifty-eight percent of these expulsions are to high school students and the remainder for the middle school and elementary school age set.