Open AccessManagement of Hyperactive Delirium in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: Case Series of Three Young Children
Author(s) -
Anna O. Jesus,
Lotte Jones,
Rebecca Linares,
Marcia L. Buck,
Deborah U. Frank
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of pediatric intensive care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2146-4618
pISSN - 2146-4626
DOI - 10.1055/s-0039-3400458
Subject(s) - delirium , medicine , adverse effect , intensive care medicine , intensive care unit , food and drug administration , pediatric intensive care unit , antipsychotic , pediatrics , psychiatry , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , medical emergency
Children in the intensive care unit (ICU) are at high risk of developing delirium, given their underlying disease processes, the adverse effects of treatments and medications, and the stressful, abnormal environment. If prevention and nonpharmacologic measures to treat delirium are unsuccessful, atypical antipsychotics are considered, although they are not approved by Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of pediatric delirium and could have significant adverse side effects. This case report presents three pediatric patients with hyperactive ICU delirium that risked life-threating complications who were successfully treated with short courses of atypical antipsychotic medications.