Sepsis In Children

What is sepsis?

• Sepsis (SEP-sis) is a serious condition that occurs when your child's body overreacts to an infection. It is also called systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) with infection. Infection in sepsis is usually caused by bacteria (germs) that attack the body. Normally, the body's immune system fights off an infection within the affected body part.
  
  
• With sepsis, your child's body is overreacting, which causes symptoms to occur throughout the body. This leads to an uncontrolled and widespread inflammation (swelling) and clotting in small blood vessels. If not treated early, sepsis may become severe and lead to septic shock (poor blood flow) and organ failure (loss of function). Sepsis may even be life-threatening. With immediate treatment, such as medicine, your child may make a complete recovery.

What causes sepsis?

Any kind of infection anywhere in the body can trigger sepsis. The infection may be caused by different types of germs, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. The following factors may put your child at a higher risk of having sepsis:

• Being malnourished (having poor nutrition).
  
  
• Born prematurely (before 37 weeks gestation) or born more than 18 hours after the mother's bag of water broke.
  
  
• Having a weak immune system.
  
  
• Having heart defects, urinary tract problems, large burns, or multiple injuries.
  
  
• Less than two years of age, especially newborns.
  
  
• Staying in a hospital, especially in the intensive care unit (ICU), for a long time or after having a surgery.
  
  
• Taking medicines that decrease the body's ability to fight infections.

What are the signs and symptoms of sepsis?

Your child may have one or more of the following:

• Eating, drinking, sucking poorly, or vomiting (throwing up).
  
  
• Fever, hypothermia (very low body temperature), or seizures (convulsions).
  
  
• Fast or slow heartbeat and weak pulses.
  
  
• Fast or troubled breathing.
  
  
• Passing little to no urine.
  
  
• Very low blood pressure.
  
  
• Weak, irritable, drowsy, and harder to wake up than normal.

How is sepsis diagnosed?

Your child may have one or more of the following tests:

• Blood tests: Your child may need blood tests to give caregivers information about how his body is working. The blood may be taken from your child's arm, hand, finger, foot, heel, or IV.
  
  
• Chest x-ray: This is a picture of your child's lungs and heart. A chest x-ray may be used to check your child's heart, lungs, and chest wall. It can help caregivers diagnose your child's symptoms, or suggest or monitor treatment for medical conditions.
  
  
• Culture: This is a test to grow and identify the germ that is causing your child's sepsis. A culture may be done using your child's blood, urine, or brain and spinal cord fluid. Samples may also be taken from wounds or lesions (sores). This test helps caregivers know what kind of infection your child has and the best medicine to treat it.
  
  
• Lumbar puncture: This procedure may also be called a spinal tap. A small needle is placed into your child's lower back. Fluid will be removed from around your child's spinal cord and sent to the lab for tests. The test is done to check for bleeding around your child's brain and spinal cord, and for infection. This procedure may also be done to take pressure off your child's brain and spinal cord, or to give medicine. Your child may need to be held in place so that he does not move during the procedure.

How is sepsis treated?

Treatment of sepsis is often done in an intensive care or critical care unit of a hospital. Medicines, commonly antibiotics, may be given to treat your child's infection, even before a diagnosis is made. Your child's caregiver will choose the right medicine to fight the germs causing your child's infection based on test results. Some medicines may be given to relieve your child's signs and symptoms and treat or control other problems. Supportive measures, including intravenous (IV) fluids, nutritional therapy, and respirators, may also be needed.

How can sepsis be prevented?

• Ask your child’s caregiver if prophylactic (disease-preventing) antibiotics can be given. Your child may be given these if he has been exposed to someone with certain types of infections. This may be needed especially if your child has a weak immune system.
  
  
• Have your child checked by his caregiver if he often gets lung, sinus, or skin infections. An early work-up to look for problems in your child's immune system may help prevent more serious problems.
  
  
• Have your child vaccinated against different infections caused by viruses or bacteria, such as the flu virus.
  
  
• Keep your child away from people with infections, such as those with a cough and colds.
  
  
• Wash your child's hands and your hands often with soap and water to prevent spreading or getting infections.

Where can I find more information?

Having a child with sepsis may be life-changing for you and your family. Accepting that your child has sepsis is hard. You, your child, and your family may feel confused, sad, or frightened. These feelings are normal. Talk to caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. Contact the following for more information:

• American Academy of Pediatrics
  141 Northwest Point Boulevard
  Elk Grove Village , IL 60007-1098
  Phone: 1- 847 - 434-4000
  Web Address: http://www.aap.org
  

• Society of Critical Care Medicine
  701 Lee Street, Suite 200
  Des Plaines , IL 60016
  Phone: 1- 847 - 8276869
  Web Address: http://www.sccm.org
  

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your child's care. Learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers to decide what care you want for your child.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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