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Delirium in the NICU

Ariel Tarrell1, Lisa Giles2, Brian Smith3

  • 1University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. ariel.tarrell@hsc.utah.edu.

Journal of Perinatology : Official Journal of the California Perinatal Association
|September 8, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Delirium in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is often missed in critically ill infants. This review covers risk factors, lack of infant-specific tools, and emphasizes treating causes and supportive care for this complex condition.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Critical Care Pediatrics
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Delirium is an underrecognized issue in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs).
  • Infants in the NICU are complex and critically ill, facing numerous potential delirium risk factors.
  • Existing knowledge from adult and pediatric delirium literature can inform NICU delirium understanding.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of delirium in the NICU population.
  • To identify potential risk factors for delirium in critically ill infants.
  • To highlight the need for infant-specific diagnostic tools and summarize management strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review synthesizing current knowledge on NICU delirium.
  • Analysis of risk factors identified in neonatal critical care settings.
  • Examination of diagnostic challenges and treatment approaches.

Main Results:

  • NICU delirium is prevalent in critically ill infants.
  • Risk factors include young age, developmental delay, mechanical ventilation, severe illness, and surgery.
  • No validated diagnostic tools currently exist for infant delirium.

Conclusions:

  • Delirium in the NICU is a significant concern requiring further research.
  • Management focuses on addressing underlying causes, modifiable risks, and supportive care.
  • Development of infant-specific diagnostic criteria and interventions is crucial.

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