Neuroblastoma and pediatric delirium: a case series

Area of Science:

• Pediatric critical care medicine
• Pediatric oncology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Delirium is a frequent complication in critically ill children.
• Children with neuroblastoma are identified as a high-risk group for delirium.
• Early detection and management of delirium are crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a case series of critically ill children with neuroblastoma diagnosed with delirium.
• To highlight the impact of delirium diagnosis on treatment and patient improvement.
• To emphasize the importance of increased awareness among healthcare professionals for earlier diagnosis and better outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Case series methodology.
• Inclusion of four critically ill children diagnosed with neuroblastoma and delirium.
• Observation of clinical course and response to interventions post-diagnosis.

Main Results:

• All four patients diagnosed with delirium showed improvement following targeted interventions.
• The diagnosis of delirium was instrumental in guiding appropriate management strategies.
• The case series demonstrates a positive correlation between delirium diagnosis and clinical improvement.

Conclusions:

• Critically ill children with neuroblastoma are susceptible to delirium, particularly post-operatively.
• Prompt diagnosis of delirium in this population facilitates effective interventions.
• Enhanced awareness and collaboration among pediatric oncologists, surgeons, and intensivists can improve clinical outcomes for these patients.