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Hallucinations following cardiac surgery in a paediatric intensive care unit
Insights
Children in intensive care may experience abnormal behavior due to benzodiazepine withdrawal or intensive care unit (ICU) psychosis. This case highlights hallucinations in a child post-cardiac surgery, emphasizing the need for greater awareness of pediatric ICU psychosis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric critical care medicine
- Pediatric neurology
- Neuropsychiatry
Background:
- Abnormal behavior in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) can stem from benzodiazepine withdrawal.
- Intensive care unit (ICU) psychosis, or delirium, is a known complication in adult critical care.
Observation:
- A pediatric case report details a child experiencing hallucinations following cardiac surgery.
- This rare presentation in children warrants further investigation into potential causes.
Findings:
- The observed hallucinations in the pediatric patient may be linked to intensive care unit (ICU) psychosis.
- Distinguishing ICU psychosis from other causes of abnormal behavior is crucial for appropriate management.
Implications:
- Increased awareness of pediatric ICU psychosis is needed among healthcare professionals.
- Early recognition and management of delirium in critically ill children can improve outcomes.
- Further research is necessary to understand the incidence and pathophysiology of psychosis in pediatric critical care.
Abstract:
Abnormal behaviour as a result of benzodiezapine withdrawal has been reported in children in intensive care. Other causes of abnormal behaviour may be as a result of intensive care unit (ICU) psychosis or delirium. ICU psychosis in adults is well documented but is rarely reported in children, hence this report on a child who suffered hallucinations after cardiac surgery, and discussion on possible causes and the need for greater awareness of this possible complication.