Neuroblastoma and pediatric delirium: a case series

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2014 Jun;61(6):1121-3. doi: 10.1002/pbc.24917. Epub 2013 Dec 28.

Abstract

Delirium occurs frequently in critically ill children, and children with neuroblastoma may be at particular risk. Early diagnosis and treatment may improve short- and long-term outcomes. In this case series, we present four critically ill children with neuroblastoma who were diagnosed with delirium in the post-operative period. In all four patients, the diagnosis of delirium facilitated targeted intervention and improvement. Heightened awareness by pediatric oncologists, surgeons, and intensivists may lead to earlier diagnosis and improvement in clinical outcomes.

Keywords: critical care; delirium; neuroblastoma; pediatrics.

MeSH terms

  • Benzodiazepines / therapeutic use
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cholinergic Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Delirium / diagnosis
  • Delirium / drug therapy
  • Delirium / epidemiology
  • Delirium / etiology*
  • Dibenzothiazepines / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Narcotics / administration & dosage
  • Narcotics / adverse effects
  • Narcotics / therapeutic use
  • Neuroblastoma / psychology*
  • Neuroblastoma / secondary
  • Pain, Postoperative / drug therapy
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis
  • Postoperative Complications / drug therapy
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Quetiapine Fumarate
  • Risk Factors
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / secondary
  • Sotos Syndrome / complications

Substances

  • Cholinergic Antagonists
  • Dibenzothiazepines
  • Narcotics
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Quetiapine Fumarate