Delirium in Pediatric Critical Care

Anita K Patel; Michael J Bell; Chani Traube

doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2017.06.009

Delirium in Pediatric Critical Care

Pediatr Clin North Am. 2017 Oct;64(5):1117-1132. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2017.06.009.

Authors

Anita K Patel¹, Michael J Bell², Chani Traube³

Affiliations

¹ Pediatrics, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Avenue Northwest Suite M4800, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
² Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 3434 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA; Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, 3434 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA; Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, 3434 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
³ Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medical College, 525 East 68th Street, M-508, New York, NY 10065, USA. Electronic address: chr9008@med.cornell.edu.

PMID: 28941539
DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2017.06.009

Abstract

Delirium occurs frequently in the critically ill child. It is a syndrome characterized by an acute onset and fluctuating course, with behaviors that reflect a disturbance in awareness and cognition. Delirium represents global cerebral dysfunction due to the direct physiologic effects of an underlying medical illness or its treatment. Pediatric delirium is strongly associated with poor outcomes, including increased mortality, prolonged intensive care unit length of stay, longer time on mechanical ventilation, and increased cost of care. With heightened awareness, the pediatric intensivist can detect, treat, and prevent delirium in at-risk children.

Keywords: Agitation; Delirium; Pain; Pediatric critical care; Pediatrics; Sedation.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Child
Critical Care / methods*
Critical Illness
Delirium* / diagnosis
Delirium* / etiology
Delirium* / physiopathology
Delirium* / therapy
Humans
Pediatrics
Risk Factors