European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the association of delirium with pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) outcome, including mortality.
Method: A prospective observational study in which all consecutive patients admitted to the PICU over a period of 12 months were screened daily for delirium using the Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium (CAPD) score. Treatment-related and demographic variables were collected and analysed.
Results: 20.2% of subjects screened positive for delirium. The development of delirium was associated with higher mortality among study subjects (p<0.001) and a longer length of PICU stay was seen in delirious subjects (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Delirium is a frequent complication in critically ill children, associated with negative outcomes.