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Updates and Clinical Implications of Pediatric Delirium

Lauren K Flagg1, Jennifer A Mauney2

  • 1Yale University School of Nursing, Orange, CT, USA; Yale New Haven Hospital, Pediatric Critical Care, New Haven, CT, USA.

Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America
|August 2, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric delirium, a fluctuating awareness state, impacts 30% of critical care patients, increasing mortality and costs. Early recognition and non-pharmacologic interventions are crucial for better outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric critical care medicine
  • Neuroscience
  • Patient safety

Background:

  • Delirium is a common, yet underrecognized, condition in pediatric critical care units.
  • It is associated with adverse outcomes including increased mortality, morbidity, and length of stay.
  • Current screening and protocol implementation for pediatric delirium are suboptimal.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the prevalence and impact of delirium in pediatric critical care.
  • To emphasize the need for improved screening and management strategies.
  • To advocate for the implementation of evidence-based non-pharmacologic interventions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature and guidelines on pediatric delirium.
  • Analysis of the association between delirium and patient outcomes.
  • Discussion of recommended screening tools and non-pharmacologic management.

Main Results:

  • Pediatric delirium affects approximately 30% of patients in critical care settings.
  • Delirium is linked to significantly increased mortality, morbidity, and healthcare costs.
  • Despite recommendations, widespread effective screening and protocol implementation are lacking.

Conclusions:

  • Early recognition and management of pediatric delirium are essential.
  • Non-pharmacologic strategies focusing on environmental normalization, sleep, nutrition, and activity are the cornerstone of prevention and treatment.
  • Standardized screening and protocol implementation are critical to reduce the burden of pediatric delirium.

Keywords:
DeliriumPCICUPICUPediatric critical carePediatrics

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