The Pharmacologic Management of Delirium in Children and Adolescents

Overview

Journal Paediatr Drugs

Specialties Pediatrics
Pharmacology

Date 2014 Jun 6

PMID 24898718

Citations 20

Authors

Susan Beckwitt Turkel

Alan Hanft

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Delirium is a serious and common problem in severely medically ill patients of all ages. It has been less addressed in children and adolescents. Treatment of delirium is predicated on addressing its underlying cause. The management of its symptoms depends on the off-label use of antipsychotics, while avoiding agents that precipitate or worsen delirium. Olanzapine, quetiapine, and risperidone are presently considered first-line drugs, usually replacing haloperidol. Other agents have shown promise, including melatonin to address the sleep disturbance characteristic of delirium, and dexmedetomidine, an α2-agonist, that may facilitate lower doses of benzodiazepines and opioids that may worsen delirium.

Citing Articles

Non-pharmacological interventions for delirium in the pediatric population: a systematic review with narrative synthesis.

Kim K, Jeong J, Choi E BMC Pediatr. 2024; 24(1):108.

PMID: 38347509 PMC: 10863154. DOI: 10.1186/s12887-024-04595-4.

Non-pharmacological interventions to prevent and manage delirium in critically ill children in neonatal and paediatric intensive care units (NICU/PICU): a scoping review protocol.

Zilezinski M, Denninger N, Tannen A, Kottner J BMJ Open. 2023; 13(10):e073883.

PMID: 37899161 PMC: 10619068. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073883.

Delirium in the NICU.

Tarrell A, Giles L, Smith B, Traube C, Watt K J Perinatol. 2023; 44(2):157-163.

PMID: 37684547 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-023-01767-5.

Assessment and Management of Delirium in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Review.

Liviskie C, McPherson C, Luecke C J Pediatr Intensive Care. 2023; 12(2):94-105.

PMID: 37082469 PMC: 10113017. DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1730918.

The Use of Psychotropic Medication in Pediatric Oncology for Acute Psychological and Psychiatric Problems: Balancing Risks and Benefits.

Blom J, Barisone E, Bertolotti M, Caprino D, Cellini M, Clerici C Children (Basel). 2022; 9(12).

PMID: 36553324 PMC: 9777172. DOI: 10.3390/children9121878.

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