Delirium Research in Paediatric Intensive Care Units: A Bibliometric Analysis of Global Trends.

BACKGROUND

Delirium is a critical yet often under-recognized complication in paediatric intensive care units (PICUs), associated with adverse clinical outcomes and increased healthcare burden. A clearer understanding of the existing literature may help strengthen paediatric delirium care and guide future nursing-focused research.

AIM: To map research trends and identify knowledge gaps in delirium research within paediatric intensive care settings to inform clinical practice and future research priorities.

STUDY

DESIGN

A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed and Scopus. Records were retrieved using search terms related to delirium, paediatric populations and intensive or critical care settings. Only articles published between 2015 and 2025 were included. Analyses were performed using R, RStudio and the Bibliometrix package.

RESULTS

A total of 532 articles were included. Publication output showed a steady increase, particularly after 2020. The United States was the most productive country, followed by China, Germany and Canada. Thematic trend mapping identified two dominant research domains: assessment-related research (e.g., screening tools, validity and risk factors) and clinical management (e.g., analgesia, prevention and pain). Emerging and underdeveloped areas included guideline implementation, nurse education and standardized delirium care protocols.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides the first comprehensive bibliometric mapping of delirium research in paediatric intensive care settings, highlighting established research domains and critical gaps requiring further investigation.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Strengthening delirium screening, integrating evidence-based protocols, enhancing nurse education and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration may improve early detection and management of delirium in PICU settings.