This review article updates the pediatric medical community on the current literature regarding diagnosis and treatment of delirium in critically ill children. This information will be of value to pediatricians, intensivists, and anesthesiologists in developing delirium monitoring and management protocols in their pediatric critical care units.
Key points
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Pediatric delirium (acute brain dysfunction) can be a complication of critical illness.
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Brain organ dysfunction can manifest as a continuum of psychomotor behaviors that are categorized as hyperactive or hypoactive.
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Delirium can be diagnosed using validated and reliable bedside tools.
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Implementation of delirium monitoring can be enhanced by scheduled in-depth discussions about brain organ dysfunction via multidisciplinary rounds with the medical team.
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Pediatric delirium may be managed with use of nonpharmacologic and, if necessary, pharmacologic interventions thereafter.
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