A teenage boy is in a Dublin hospital following the first known case of a choking game. The practice has spread from the United States where it has caused 82 deaths since 1995.

It is reported the boy in his early teens was rushed to hospital after taking part in this potentially lethal so-called choking game.

It is usually played by children aged between 11 and 16, and involves them putting their hands around their own or each others throats.

It is in a bid to get a high just before the point of unconsciousness but for obvious reasons it can cause loss of life.

Doctors first issued a warning in Ireland in 2010. But in light of this first known case here in Ireland, there is a fresh appeal for teenagers never to be tempted to try it.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US says boys are much more likely to die from the choking game than girls, with 87% of victims being male.

Most of the children that died there were aged 11-16 years, and nearly all of those were playing the game alone when they died.

Parents and other are asked to be on the look-out for signs that may indicate a child has been involved in the game.

These include discussion of the game or its aliases, bloodshot eyes, marks on the neck and frequent or severe headaches.

The game is also know by many other names, including pass-out game, space monkey, purple hazing and flat liner.

Dr. Kevin Carson is the clinical director of intensive care at Temple Street Hospital in Dublin. He says the practice can have any number of long-term consequences.