Delirium in children and adolescents: A systematic review of the literature

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to collate all works relating to delirium and probable delirium in children and adolescents published since 1980. Methods A systematic review of the literature in all languages published between 1980 and March 2009 was conducted. Results The literatu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of psychosomatic research 2010-04, Vol.68 (4), p.337-344
Main Authors: Hatherill, Sean, Flisher, Alan J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescent Psychiatry - methods
Adolescents
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Biological and medical sciences
Child
Child clinical studies
Child Psychiatry - methods
Childhood
Children
Consultation–liaison
Delirium
Delirium - diagnosis
Delirium - epidemiology
Delirium - psychology
Female
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Morbidity-Mortality
Organic mental disorders. Neuropsychology
Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Referral and Consultation
Severity of Illness Index
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Summary:Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to collate all works relating to delirium and probable delirium in children and adolescents published since 1980. Methods A systematic review of the literature in all languages published between 1980 and March 2009 was conducted. Results The literature is limited to small case series and case reports including a total of 217 children or adolescents with definite delirium and a further 136 children and adolescents with “probable delirium.” These articles, in addition to unsystematic reviews, overviews, editorials, journal commentaries, and pertinent book chapters, are discussed in relation to prevalence, predisposing and precipitating factors, phenomenology, residual psychopathology, mortality, management, and prevention of delirium in childhood and adolescence. Conclusions Delirium is an important but neglected disorder of childhood associated with significant morbidity and high mortality. Current clinical practice for management is based on slim empirical evidence.
ISSN:0022-3999
1879-1360
DOI:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2009.10.011