Ranitidine-Induced Delirium in a 7-Year-Old Girl: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
• Neuroscience
• Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

• Ranitidine, a histamine-2 blocker, is frequently used in Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) for gastrointestinal bleeding and stress ulcer prophylaxis.
• While known to cause central nervous system side effects like delirium in adults, its role in pediatric delirium is less understood.

Observation:

• A case report details a child in the PICU who developed delirium.
• The child's symptoms were consistent with an anticholinergic toxidrome.
• These symptoms resolved after the discontinuation of ranitidine therapy.

Findings:

• This case suggests a potential link between ranitidine use and anticholinergic toxidrome-induced delirium in a pediatric patient.
• It represents the first reported instance of such a reaction in a child.

Implications:

• The findings underscore that a broad spectrum of clinical conditions can precipitate delirium in children.
• Minimizing potential risk factors, including medication side effects like those from ranitidine, is crucial for managing delirium in the PICU.
• This case highlights the importance of considering medication-induced delirium in pediatric patients presenting with altered mental status.