Peer-Reviewed UConn Study: Kratom Poses Unique Heavy Metal and Opioid Risks for Children and Adolescents

Why it matters

With an estimated 45,000 children aged 12-17 using kratom — some products deliberately packaged to attract minors — this peer-reviewed review documents significant risks specific to young users, including lead contamination and opioid dependence, areas current regulation fails to address.

The big picture

The absence of FDA regulation means there are no federal standards governing kratom's heavy metal content, labeling, or age restrictions. This UConn School of Pharmacy review synthesizes existing data on kratom adverse events, contamination, and pharmacology specifically for pediatric clinicians, as concentrated 7-OH products expand in the marketplace in forms designed to appeal to younger consumers.

Key findings

• Approximately 45,000 children aged 12-17 and 913,000 young adults aged 18-25 currently use kratom in the U.S.
• Up to 20.6% of kratom products would exceed safe lead limits for children at a 3g daily dose; up to 72.1% at a 25g dose
• Pediatric adverse events include seizures (11.3% of teens), agitation (16.3%), tachycardia (20%), and vomiting (20%)
• Neonatal kratom withdrawal syndrome was documented in 6 infants born to mothers using kratom
• Synthetic 7-OH products are being marketed in child-appealing formats, including waffle cone-shaped edibles
• Traditional opioids caused 1,790 deaths over 2017-2022 vs. 18 kratom deaths — but risk profiles differ significantly by population

What they say

"I fully support national regulations, or state regulations, that reduce many of the vulnerabilities that consumers face when using kratom products: registration of products, age restrictions, clear labeling, product warnings, proof-of-quality manufacturing, avoiding high-dose isolate products with an unknown safety profile." — Dr. C. Michael White, PharmD, UConn School of Pharmacy

Bottom line

Kratom poses serious, under-recognized risks to children — including lead poisoning, seizures, and opioid dependence — that existing regulation entirely fails to address.