The effects of intraoperative magnesium sulfate administration on emergence agitation and delirium in pediatric patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Possible role of high calcium concentrations in rat neocortical neurons in inducing hyper excitatory behavior during emergence from sevoflurane: a proposed pathophysiology

Sevoflurane has been shown to increase the incidence of emergence delirium in children; however, the mechanism remains unclear. Sevoflurane increases cytoplasmic calcium concentration which in turn may play a role in emergence delirium. This study aimed to investigate the level of intracellular calcium in rats experiencing hyperexcitatory behavior after exposure to sevoflurane, as well as the role of magnesium in preventing this phenomenon. After ethical approval, 2-5-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 34) were insufflated with sevoflurane in a modified anesthesia chamber. One group received magnesium sulphate intraperitoneally. After termination of sevoflurane exposure, the occurrence of hyperexcitation was observed. Brain tissue samples from the rats were studied for intracellular calcium levels under a two-channel laser scanning confocal microscope and were quantitatively calculated using ratiometric calculation. The presence of inflammation or oxidative stress reaction was assessed using nuclear factor κB and malondialdehyde. The incidence of hyperexcitatory behavior post sevoflurane exposure was 9 in 16 rats in the observation group and none in the magnesium group. Tests for inflammation and oxidative stress were within normal limits in both groups. The rats showing hyperexcitation had a higher level of cytosol calcium concentration compared to the other groups. To conclude, the calcium concentration of neocortical neurons in Sprague-Dawley rats with hyperexcitatory behavior is increased after exposure to sevoflurane. Administration of magnesium sulphate can prevent the occurrence of hyperexcitation in experimental animals.

The effect of magnesium sulfate on emergence agitation in surgical adult patients undergoing general anesthesia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Investigating the effect of magnesium sulfate (MS) on emergence agitation (EA) in adult surgical patients following general anesthesia (GA).

DESIGN

Systematic literature review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO number: CRD42023461988).

SETTING

Review of published literature.

PATIENTS

Adults undergoing GA.

INTERVENTIONS

Intravenous administration of MS.

MEASUREMENTS

We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science for publications until September 14, 2023. The primary outcome was the incidence of EA, while the secondary outcomes included the impact of MS on postoperative agitation score (PAS), emergence variables and adverse events. Relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) measured dichotomous outcome, while standardized mean difference (SMD) or mean difference (MD) with 95% CI measured continuous outcomes.

MAIN RESULTS

Meta-analysis of five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) indicated that MS was associated with a lower incidence of EA at various time points (0 min: RR = 0.62, 95% CI [0.41, 0.95]; p = 0.183, I2 = 43.6%; 5 min: RR = 0.29, 95% CI [0.16, 0.52]; p = 0.211, I2 = 36%; 10 min: RR = 0.14, 95% CI [0.06, 0.32]; p = 0.449, I2 = 0%; 15 min: RR = 0.11, 95% CI [0.02, 0.55]; p = 0.265, I2 = 19.5%; 30 min: RR = 0.05, 95% CI [0.00, 0.91]; the postoperative period: RR = 0.21, 95% CI [0.09, 0.49]; p = 0.724, I2 = 0%;). Additionally, MS was associated with a reduced PAS at various time points except for 0 min. However, no significant differences were observed in extubation time, the length of stay in the post-anesthesia care unit, postoperative nausea and vomiting or total complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Limited available evidence suggests that MS was associated with a lower incidence of EA. Nevertheless, further high-quality studies are warranted to strengthen and validate the effect of MS in preventing EA in adult surgical patients.

Electroencephalographic insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of emergence delirium in children and corresponding clinical treatment strategies

Emergence delirium is a common postoperative complication in patients undergoing general anesthesia, especially in children. In severe cases, it can cause unnecessary self-harm, affect postoperative recovery, lead to parental dissatisfaction, and increase medical costs. With the widespread use of inhalation anesthetic drugs (such as sevoflurane and desflurane), the incidence of emergence delirium in children is gradually increasing; however, its pathogenesis in children is complex and unclear. Several studies have shown that age, pain, and anesthetic drugs are strongly associated with the occurrence of emergence delirium. Alterations in central neurophysiology are essential intermediate processes in the development of emergence delirium. Compared to adults, the pediatric nervous system is not fully developed; therefore, the pediatric electroencephalogram may vary slightly by age. Moreover, pain and anesthetic drugs can cause changes in the excitability of the central nervous system, resulting in electroencephalographic changes. In this paper, we review the pathogenesis of and prevention strategies for emergence delirium in children from the perspective of brain electrophysiology-especially for commonly used pharmacological treatments-to provide the basis for understanding the development of emergence delirium as well as its prevention and treatment, and to suggest future research direction.

Does Postanesthesia Forced-Air Warming Affect Emergence Delirium in Pediatric Patients Receiving Daily Anesthesia?

PURPOSE

To determine if postanesthesia forced-air warming as a nonpharmacologic intervention for emergence delirium (ED)/emergence agitation (EA) decreased the incidence and severity of ED in children aged 18 months to 6 years old.

DESIGN

Prospective nonrandomized controlled trial.

METHODS

Participants included children aged 18 months to 6 years old receiving general anesthesia within a radiation oncology setting. Status of ED/EA was based on the participants' Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) scale score (two consecutive scores greater than 10 out of 20) or inconsolable agitation behaviors post computed tomography simulation (day 0). Interrater reliability was conducted among the center's perianesthesia care nurses. Participants who scored positive for ED/EA received a forced-air warming blanket for the remainder of treatment with data collection 1 to 14 days postanesthesia. Non-ED/EA participants were followed for 14 days and provided forced-air warming if ED/EA occurred. Data consisted of daily PAED scores and self- or parent-report on the anxiety scale. If the participants received forced-air warming, nurses' clinical observations and parent satisfaction surveys were collected 3 times during the 14-day study period.

FINDINGS

A total of 59 participants completed the study (mean age 3.43 years; 60% male; 63% non-Hispanic White); 16 were identified with ED or EA (mean age 3.56 years; 50% male; 69% non-Hispanic White) with an incidence rate of 28%. For the 16 participants with ED/EA, the primary diagnosis consisted of solid tumors and an American Society of Anesthesia Classification III to IV. Prior to the forced-air warming intervention, all 16 participants exhibited inconsolable ED/EA behaviors, including 8 who had PAED scores greater than 10. ED/EA behaviors expressed included inconsolability, confusion, thrashing, and combativeness. Within the 14-day period, 3 participants received forced-air warming on day 1, while the other 13 received an average of 4.23 days of treatment (range 1 to 11 days; mode 1 day; median 4 days). Comparison of PAED scores pre (mean 4.4) and post (mean 1.8) indicated that the use of forced-air warming was statistically significant (P = .001). ED/EA behaviors and PAED scores after the forced-air warming period decreased in all but one participant. Some agitation behaviors were not captured within the PAED score.

CONCLUSIONS

Forced-air warming impacted PAED scores and agitation behaviors for studied participants, offering a safe, nonpharmacological nursing intervention that may be an effective tool for helping to manage this baffling condition.

The Impact of Parental Presence on Emergence Delirium in Pediatric Patients After General Anesthesia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

PURPOSE

This study reviewed existing literature on parental presence in cases of pediatric patients after general anesthesia and explored its effect on emergence delirium (ED) in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU).

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

After protocol registration, we searched the PubMed, EMBASE, CINHAL, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and CENTRAL databases. Two authors independently searched and selected the relevant studies, assessed their risk of bias, and abstracted the data. The primary outcome was ED, and the additional outcome was pain. We provided the narrative synthesis and meta-analysis results.

FINDINGS

Of the 296 articles retrieved, 6 were included in the narrative synthesis, and 5 were used for the meta-analysis. Four studies were randomized controlled trials, and two studies were nonrandomized controlled trials. There were 348 pediatric patients in the parental presence group and 314 pediatric patients in the usual care group. Parental presence effectively reduced the ED score (mean difference, -0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.84 to -0.31; P < .001). The ED incidence rate (log odds ratio, -0.58; 95% CI, -1.24 to 0.09; P = .090) and pain score (standardized mean difference, -0.24; 95% CI, -0.57 to 0.10; P = .163) were lower in the parental presence group than in the usual care group. However, the differences were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of parents in the PACU can reduce ED in pediatric patients. Therefore, parental presence may be a useful intervention in the PACU.

Non-pharmacological interventions for delirium in the pediatric population: a systematic review with narrative synthesis

BACKGROUND

Delirium is a serious complication experienced by hospitalized children. Therefore, preventive management strategies are recommended for these patients. However, comprehensive analyses of delirium interventions in children remain insufficient. Specifically, this systematic review aimed to summarize non-pharmacological interventions for pediatric delirium, addressing the urgent need for a comprehensive understanding of effective strategies. We also explored frequently measured outcome variables to contribute evidence for future research on delirium outcomes in children.

METHODS

This systematic review searched articles from PubMed, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Excerpta Medica databases. The eligibility criteria were formed under the population, intervention, comparator, outcome, and study design framework. Studies were included if they involved (1) children aged under 18 years receiving hospital care, (2) non-pharmacological delirium interventions, (3) comparators involving no intervention or pharmacological delirium interventions, and (4) outcomes measuring the effectiveness of non-pharmacological delirium interventions. Only peer-reviewed articles published in English were included.

RESULTS

Overall, 16 studies were analyzed; of them, 9 assessed non-pharmacological interventions for emergence delirium and 7 assessed interventions for pediatric delirium. The intervention types were grouped as follows: educational (n = 5), multicomponent (n = 6), and technology-assisted (n = 5). Along with pediatric and emergence delirium, the most frequently measured outcome variables were pain, patient anxiety, parental anxiety, pediatric intensive care unit length of stay, agitation, analgesic consumption, and postoperative maladaptive behavior.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-pharmacological interventions for children are effective treatments without associated complications. However, determining the most effective non-pharmacological delirium intervention for hospitalized children based on current data remains challenging.

Postoperative agitation or delirium in paediatric patients. What we know and how to avoid it

Emergence delirium or postoperative agitation is the name given to the state of altered consciousness that occurs after surgery and especially affects pediatric patients. Its incidence is not negligible, reaching 80% of cases in certain studies. It is frequently confused with other clinical entities, for which reason a scale has been validated to facilitate its diagnosis. Risk factors include age under 5 years, the presence of pain after surgery and especially intense preoperative anxiety. Pediatric emergence delirium presents as an adverse event after surgery and influences patient safety by significantly increasing patient comorbidity. It is essential to recognize the entity, as well as its risk factors, in order to apply effective preventive measures to reduce its incidence and intensity when it occurs.

A new view on old problems in paediatric anaesthesia: premedication, postoperative agitation and dosing

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this review is to discuss recent developments in paediatric anaesthesia, which have evolved in an undulating fashion.

RECENT FINDINGS

The role and efficacy of pharmacological premedication is reevaluated. The anxiolytic and sedative properties of midazolam and α 2 -agonists have now been defined more precisely. Both classes of drugs have their unique profile, and there is no reason to condemn one or the other. Midazolam is an excellent anxiolytic, whereas dexmedetomidine is superior in the postoperative period and for sedation during diagnostic imaging.A total intravenous technique with propofol is often considered to be the standard for the prevention of emergence agitation; but alternatives do exist, such as a co-medication with dexmedetomidine or opioids. In clinical reality, a multimodal approach may often be advisable.The theoretical basis for propofol dosing has recently been adapted. In contrast to previous beliefs, the context-sensitive half-life of propofol seems to be quite short beyond the first year of life.

SUMMARY

Midazolam and dexmedetomidine are not interchangeable; each compound has its pros and cons. As an anxiolytic drug, midazolam indisputably deserves its place, whereas dexmedetomidine is a better sedative and particularly beneficial in the postoperative period. New data will allow more precise age-adapted dosing of propofol.

Magnesium Orotate and the Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis Modulation: New Approaches in Psychological Comorbidities of Gastrointestinal Functional Disorders

Magnesium orotate has been cited in the medical literature for the past three years as a possible adjuvant in some pediatric and adult gastroenterological disorders associated with dysbiosis. Studies also focus on the possibility of adding magnesium orotate in psychiatric disorders' treatment, such as major depression and anxiety. The most relevant element in these studies is the efficiency of magnesium orotate therapy in cases with both gastroenterological and psychiatric symptoms. This article proposes a literature review, focused on the studies published in the last three years, targeting magnesium orotate treatment and probiotic supplementation in patients with both digestive and psychiatric symptoms. Moreover, this review will compare the efficiency of magnesium orotate and probiotics within both the pediatric and adult communities, focusing on the possibility of gut-brain axis modulation and its involvement in the clinical evolution of these patients.