What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to explore the lived experiences of delirium in critically ill pediatric patients and the effects on their families and caregivers.

February 21, 2026Journal of Pediatric Intensive Care0 citationsOpen Access

Lived Experiences of Delirium in Critically Ill Children: A Qualitative Study

JMJasmin Moradi MMMirriam Mikhail LLLaurie A. Lee

Key Points

This research aims to explore the lived experiences of delirium in critically ill pediatric patients and the effects on their families and caregivers.
Conducted phenomenological qualitative interviews with critically ill pediatric survivors aged 0-18 years.
Included family caregivers and healthcare providers from pediatric intensive care units.
Identified cases with a Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium score of ≥ 9 for at least 48 hours.
Thirteen interviews were conducted, representing 10 index patients with delirium.
Key symptoms identified included hallucinations, fluctuating symptoms, and lack of eye contact.
Delirium had a long-lasting impact on patients and their families, causing persistent distress.
Non-pharmacological strategies and family education were prioritized for managing delirium.

Abstract

Objective: To understand the lived experiences of delirium in critically ill children Materials memories remained prominent even after the hospital stay. Family members and healthcare providers often felt helpless and ill-prepared to manage delirium. The delirium experience had significant impact on loved ones, causing persistent and vicarious suffering after the critical illness course. Family members and healthcare providers prioritized non-pharmacological strategies, family presence and education as key strategies for delirium management. Conclusions: The lived experience of delirium in both infants and older children is physically, psychologically, and emotionally distressing. Given the traumatic long-term consequences, there is an urgent need to target delirium education, management, and prevention to improve long-term outcomes in PICU survivors and their families.

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