# Pharmacokinetics of sedatives – Understanding a modifiable risk factor for pediatric delirium

> **NIH NIH R01** · CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE · 2020 · $691,608

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Over the past decade, delirium – identified as an unexplained alteration in cognitive function as a result of
another clinical condition – has become recognized as a public health emergency for adults with critical
illnesses. In this patient population, delirium is associated with mortality, morbidity, increased length of hospital
stays and increased health care costs. We have developed a delirium screening tool to assess delirium in
children of all ages. This score, the Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium, has been validated with several
psychiatrists at Cornell University and is starting to be used as a part of clinical care. While the development of
delirium is multifactorial, sedatives represent a modifiable risk factor for clinicians to consider. To date, there is
no pharmacokinetic information to guide clinicians on which sedatives are linked to delirium development.
Based on extensive preliminary evidence, we suspect that benzodiazepine-based sedation is related to
delirium development and may be affected by drug clearance and serum concentrations. We will also
determine if other commonly used narcotics and other agents are associated with delirium development
independent of benzodiazepine effects. We will test these two specific aims in a multi-centered (n = 3) study
with analysis done at the University of Pittsburgh and University of Buffalo.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10002250
- **Project number:** 5R01HD099284-02
- **Recipient organization:** CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** MICHAEL JAMES BELL
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $691,608
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10002250

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10002250, Pharmacokinetics of sedatives – Understanding a modifiable risk factor for pediatric delirium (5R01HD099284-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10002250. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*