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Delirium Research in Paediatric Intensive Care Units: A Bibliometric Analysis of Global Trends
Septi Melisa1, Akhmad Fajri Widodo2, Hsiao-Yean Chiu3,4,5
1International PhD Program in Biotech and Healthcare Management, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Insights
Paediatric delirium in intensive care units (PICUs) is under-recognized. This bibliometric analysis maps research trends, revealing key areas in assessment and management, and highlighting gaps in guideline implementation and nurse education for improved care.
Area of Science:
- Bibliometric analysis of paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) research.
- Mapping research trends and knowledge gaps in paediatric delirium.
Background:
- Delirium is a critical, under-recognized complication in PICUs.
- Associated with adverse outcomes and increased healthcare burden.
- Understanding literature is crucial for improving paediatric delirium care and nursing research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map research trends in paediatric intensive care delirium.
- Identify knowledge gaps to inform clinical practice and research priorities.
Main Methods:
- Bibliometric analysis of Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus.
- Included articles published 2015-2025 on paediatric delirium in critical care.
- Utilized R, RStudio, and Bibliometrix for analysis.
Main Results:
- 532 articles analyzed, with publication output increasing post-2020.
- United States, China, Germany, and Canada are leading countries.
- Dominant themes: delirium assessment (screening, risk factors) and clinical management (analgesia, prevention).
- Emerging gaps: guideline implementation, nurse education, standardized protocols.
Conclusions:
- First comprehensive bibliometric map of paediatric intensive care delirium research.
- Highlights established domains and critical research gaps.
- Recommends strengthening screening, protocols, nurse education, and collaboration for improved detection and management.
Background:
Delirium is a critical yet often under-recognized complication in paediatric intensive care units (PICUs), associated with adverse clinical outcomes and increased healthcare burden. A clearer understanding of the existing literature may help strengthen paediatric delirium care and guide future nursing-focused research.
Aim:
To map research trends and identify knowledge gaps in delirium research within paediatric intensive care settings to inform clinical practice and future research priorities.
Study Design:
A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed and Scopus. Records were retrieved using search terms related to delirium, paediatric populations and intensive or critical care settings. Only articles published between 2015 and 2025 were included. Analyses were performed using R, RStudio and the Bibliometrix package.
Results:
A total of 532 articles were included. Publication output showed a steady increase, particularly after 2020. The United States was the most productive country, followed by China, Germany and Canada. Thematic trend mapping identified two dominant research domains: assessment-related research (e.g., screening tools, validity and risk factors) and clinical management (e.g., analgesia, prevention and pain). Emerging and underdeveloped areas included guideline implementation, nurse education and standardized delirium care protocols.
Conclusions:
This study provides the first comprehensive bibliometric mapping of delirium research in paediatric intensive care settings, highlighting established research domains and critical gaps requiring further investigation.
Relevance To Clinical Practice:
Strengthening delirium screening, integrating evidence-based protocols, enhancing nurse education and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration may improve early detection and management of delirium in PICU settings.
