Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients
Published on: June 12, 2020
Parental perspectives on delirium in paediatric cardiac patients: a North American survey
Brittany Shutes1, Kayla Ann Harvey2, Chance Alvarado3,4
1Cardiology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, USA.
Insights
Witnessing a child's delirium is highly distressing for parents, with many fearing further episodes and desiring more support. Some parents experience symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder, highlighting a critical need for improved care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Pediatric Critical Care
- Psychology
Background:
- Delirium is a common and challenging complication in pediatric heart disease.
- Parental experiences of witnessing pediatric delirium are underreported in cardiac populations.
- Understanding the parental impact is crucial for holistic patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and describe the specific impact of witnessing a child's delirium symptoms on parents and caregivers.
- To assess the level of distress and fear associated with these experiences.
- To evaluate the need for and receipt of parental support.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between August 2023 and March 2024.
- The survey was distributed through parent social media groups, email lists, conferences, and clinical spaces.
- Fifty-one parents/caregivers provided meaningful responses.
Main Results:
- Most parents (78%) found witnessing their child's delirium symptoms "very" or "extremely distressing".
- 33% of parents reported being "very" or "extremely fearful" of future episodes.
- Only 39% received support, though 90% desired more; seven parents screened positive for probable PTSD.
Conclusions:
- Witnessing a child's delirium is a significantly distressing experience for parents/caregivers.
- There is a clear need to recognize and address the psychological impact on parents.
- Improved parental support and education are essential components of care for children with heart disease experiencing delirium.
Background:
Delirium is an inherently prevalent and particularly challenging aspect of pediatric heart disease that benefits from engagement of a vulnerable parent population. However, parental experience of witnessing their child's episode(s) of delirium is seldom reported on in the cardiac population. Our aim was to identify and describe the specific impact of bearing witness to delirium symptoms as a parent or caregiver.
Methods:
A cross-sectional online survey was distributed via parent social media groups and e-mail lists, displayed at conferences, and posted in clinical spaces from August 2023 through March 2024.
Results:
Fifty-one parents/caregivers provided meaningful responses. Most parents/caregivers were white (47, 92%), married (43/50, 86%), female (43, 84%), had a bachelor's degree or greater (39, 77%), and nearly half (24, 47%) had a household income greater than $150,000. Half (26, 51%) of the children with delirum symptoms were less than 3 years old at first episode. Most (40, 78%) parents/caregivers described witnessing their child's delirium symptoms as "very" or "extremely distressing" and 17 (33%) were "very" or "extremely fearful" of further episodes. Only 39% (19/51) of parents/caregivers received support despite 90% indicating they would have wanted more support. Of the 13 parents/caregivers who indicated their experience with delirium still impacts their daily life, seven screened positive by Impact of Event Scale 6 criteria for probable post-traumatic stress disorder.
Conclusion:
This survey provides new evidence on the distressing nature of witnessing a child's delirium episodes(s). Recognition of the impact on parents/caregivers and efforts to improve support and parental education should be undertaken.
