Evaluation of the Safety of Quetiapine in Treating Delirium in Critically Ill Children: A Retrospective Review. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • OBJECTIVE: Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic that has been used off-label for the treatment of intensive care unit (ICU) delirium in the adult population, with studies demonstrating both efficacy and a favorable safety profile. Although there is a potential role for quetiapine in the treatment of pediatric ICU delirium, there has been no systematic reporting to date of safety in this patient population. METHODS: Pharmacy records were used to identify 55 consecutive pediatric ICU patients who were diagnosed with delirium and received quetiapine. A comprehensive retrospective medical chart review was performed to collect data on demographics, dosing, and side effects. RESULTS: Fifty patients treated between January 2013 and November 2014 were included, and five patients were excluded from the study. Subjects ranged in age from 2 months to 20 years. Median daily dose was 1.3 mg/kg/day, and median duration of treatment was 12 days. There were three episodes of QTc prolongation that were clinically nonsignificant with no associated dysrhythmia: Two resolved over time without intervention, and one resolved with decrease in quetiapine dosage. There were no episodes of extrapyramidal symptoms or neuroleptic malignant syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: In this population of critically ill youth, short-term use of quetiapine as treatment for delirium appears to be safe, without serious adverse events. Further research is required to assess efficacy and evaluate for long-term effects. A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study of quetiapine in managing pediatric delirium is necessary.

publication date

  • October 15, 2015

Research

keywords

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Delirium
  • Quetiapine Fumarate

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC4808274

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 84947942202

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1089/cap.2015.0093

PubMed ID

  • 26469214

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 25

issue

  • 9