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Delirium: an emerging frontier in the management of critically ill children

Heidi A B Smith1, D Catherine Fuchs, Pratik P Pandharipande

  • 1Pediatrics and Anesthesiology Division of Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics, 5121 Doctor's Office Tower, 2200 Children's Way, Nashville, TN 37232-9075, USA. heidi.smith@vanderbilt.edu

Critical Care Clinics
|July 7, 2009
PubMed

Insights

This article explains pediatric delirium, a type of acute brain dysfunction. It covers diagnosis, prevalence, pathophysiology, and management strategies for critically ill children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
  • Neuroscience
  • Intensive Care Medicine

Background:

  • Delirium, characterized by acute brain dysfunction, affects critically ill patients.
  • Understanding and diagnosing delirium in children presents unique challenges compared to adults.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce pediatric delirium, including its classification and clinical presentations.
  • To discuss diagnostic approaches for delirium in critically ill children, drawing from adult critical care.
  • To review the prevalence, prognostic significance, pathophysiology, and management of pediatric delirium.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on delirium in adult and pediatric populations.
  • Analysis of diagnostic criteria and their applicability to pediatric intensive care settings.
  • Compilation of current understanding of delirium pathophysiology and evidence-based management.

Main Results:

  • Pediatric delirium is an acute brain dysfunction with specific clinical presentations.
  • Diagnostic tools and understanding of delirium in adults can be translated to pediatric care.
  • Delirium is prevalent in critically ill children and has significant prognostic implications.

Conclusions:

  • Early recognition and diagnosis of pediatric delirium are crucial for appropriate management.
  • Further research is needed to refine diagnostic and management strategies tailored to pediatric populations.
  • Addressing delirium in critically ill children can improve outcomes and reduce long-term sequelae.

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