• Nasuh Malas, Khyati Brahmbhatt, Cristin McDermott, Allanceson Smith, Roberto Ortiz-Aguayo, and Susan Turkel.
• Department of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, L5023, SPC 5277, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA. nmalas@med.umich.edu.
• Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2017 Aug 12; 19 (9): 65.

AbstractDelirium describes a syndrome of acute brain dysfunction with severe consequences on patient outcomes, medical cost, morbidity, and mortality. It represents a final common pathway of numerous pathophysiologic disturbances disrupting cerebral homeostasis. The diagnosis is predicated on recognition of the clinical features of the syndrome through ongoing clinical assessment. Early identification can be aided by routine screening, particularly in high-risk populations. Evaluation and management are continuous and simultaneous processes involving a multidisciplinary care team including child psychiatry consultation. Prevention, early identification and management are critical in alleviating symptoms, improving outcomes, and reducing distress for patients, families, and care teams. This review highlights our current understanding regarding pediatric delirium, its mechanisms, clinical manifestations, detection and management.

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