DELIRIUM IN THE PEDIATRIC POPULATION – A HIDDEN CHALLENGE OF INTENSIVE CARE MEDICINE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46793/PP260211002OKeywords:
delirium, pediatrics, intensive care, diagnosis, prevention, CAPDAbstract
Introduction: Delirium is an acute syndrome of impaired attention, awareness, and cognition, often underrecognized in pediatric intensive care (PICU) due to nonspecific manifestations.
Objective: The aim of this paper is to highlight the significance, epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention, and therapy of delirium in critically ill children.
Methodology: This is a narrative review based on the analysis of relevant contemporary literature.
Results: The prevalence of delirium in the PICU ranges from 10% to 44%. It is associated with prolonged hospitalization, increased morbidity, and mortality. The key to diagnosis is the routine use of validated screening tools, such as the Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium (CAPD) for children of all ages and the Pediatric Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (pCAM-ICU) for children over 5 years. Multidisciplinary prevention includes preserving the circadian rhythm, reorientation, early mobilization, and rational sedation.
Conclusion: Delirium is a serious but often overlooked problem in pediatric intensive care. Its timely detection through validated tools and the implementation of preventive measures are crucial for improving treatment outcomes.
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