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Delirium screening tools in the pediatric ICU: a useful tool
Saba Javadi1, Lauren Flagg2,3, Sarah B Kandil1
1Section of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine.
Current Opinion in Pediatrics
|February 17, 2026
Summary
Routine delirium screening in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) is crucial for detecting a common complication. Early detection and intervention in critically ill children can improve outcomes and reduce long-term adverse effects.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Practice Guidelines
Background:
- Pediatric delirium is a frequent complication in critically ill children, linked to negative short- and long-term health consequences.
- Guidelines increasingly recommend routine delirium screening in pediatric intensive care settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current state of pediatric delirium screening.
- To highlight the importance of validated bedside tools for multidisciplinary teams.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature on pediatric delirium.
- Analysis of the development and validation of pediatric-specific screening instruments.
Main Results:
- Delirium significantly impacts critically ill children in PICUs and PCICUs.
- Validated screening tools allow for reliable, real-time detection.
- Delirium is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and longer hospital stays.
Conclusions:
- Routine delirium screening is a key advancement in pediatric critical care.
- Future research should focus on implementation, special populations, and integrating screening into care pathways.
