Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

A Pediatric Concussion Model in Mice: Closed Head Injury with Long-Term Disorders (CHILD)
07:01

A Pediatric Concussion Model in Mice: Closed Head Injury with Long-Term Disorders (CHILD)

Published on: February 7, 2025

Impact of Delirium on Pediatric Critical Care Outcomes and Management Strategies: A Systematic Review and

Cheng Yang1,2, Jiawei Li2,3, Qin Zeng2,4

  • 1Department of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China, scu.edu.cn.

Journal of Nursing Management
|May 26, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric intensive care unit delirium significantly increases mechanical ventilation, ICU stay, and mortality risks. Early nursing interventions, including screening and family-centered care, are crucial for improving outcomes and quality of life in critically ill children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric critical care medicine
  • Nursing science
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Delirium in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) presents significant nursing care challenges.
  • It profoundly impacts mechanical ventilation duration, hospitalization length, and survival rates in children.
  • Effective nursing strategies are vital for enhancing patient prognosis and quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and meta-analyze the relationship between delirium and clinical outcomes in PICU patients.
  • To identify and map nursing management strategies for pediatric delirium.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review and meta-analysis adhering to PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
  • Comprehensive database searches (Cochrane, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL) up to January 2024.
  • Data extraction, quality appraisal (Newcastle-Ottawa Scale), and statistical analysis (STATA 17.0).

Main Results:

  • Analysis of 14 studies involving 6019 children.
  • Delirium significantly elevated mechanical ventilation risk (OR=5.68), prolonged ICU stay (SMD=0.61), and increased mortality (OR=5.09).
  • No significant publication bias was detected.

Conclusions:

  • Delirium is a critical predictor of nursing-sensitive outcomes in PICU patients.
  • Early screening (e.g., Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium) and systematic nursing management improve recovery and quality of life.
  • Nurses play a key role through assessment, environmental optimization, and interdisciplinary teamwork; standardized protocols are recommended.
Abstract

Keywords:
clinical outcomescritical care nursingdeliriumearly detectionnursing managementpatient safetypediatric intensive carequality of life

Related Concept Videos

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
Methods of Documentation VI: Case Management Model01:15

Methods of Documentation VI: Case Management Model

The case management model is a multidisciplinary approach that involves healthcare professionals from diverse disciplines, such as physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers, and pharmacists, working collaboratively to address the various needs of patients. Each healthcare professional brings unique expertise and perspectives, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the patient's condition and tailoring treatment plans accordingly.
For example, a patient with a chronic illness...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight, compared...