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- Sepsis is a condition that develops when your child's immune system reacts too strongly to an infection. The immune system normally fights germs causing an infection. Sepsis develops when the immune system stops attacking germs and starts attacking healthy cells throughout your child's body. This causes a low blood pressure (BP) and inflammation.
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As with adults, when babies and children develop an infection, their immune systems fight the invading culprit, whether it’s bacteria, a virus, or a fungus. But sometimes the immune system’s response to an infection can spin out of control, leading to a life-threatening condition called sepsis. Sepsis occurs when the body’s response to an ...
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Symptoms of sepsis
Symptoms of sepsis may include:
Symptoms of septic shock
Sepsis may progress to septic shock. Septic shock is a severe drop in blood pressure. Progression to septic shock raises the risk of death. Symptoms of septic shock include:
Any infection could lead to sepsis. Go to a health care provider if you have symptoms of sepsis or an infection or wound that isn't getting better.
Symptoms such as confusion or fast breathing need emergency care.
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Any type of infection can lead to sepsis. This includes bacterial, viral or fungal infections. Those that more commonly cause sepsis include infections of:
•Lungs, such as pneumonia.
•Kidney, bladder and other parts of the urinary system.
•Digestive system.
•Bloodstream.
•Catheter sites.
Some factors that increase the risk infection will lead to sepsis include:
•People over age 65.
•Infancy.
•People with lower immune response, such as those being treated for cancer or people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
•People with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, kidney disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
•Admission to intensive care unit or longer hospital stays.
As sepsis worsens, vital organs, such as the brain, heart and kidneys, don't get as much blood as they should. Sepsis may cause atypical blood clotting. The resulting small clots or burst blood vessels may damage or destroy tissues.
Most people recover from mild sepsis, but the mortality rate for septic shock is about 30% to 40%. Also, an episode of severe sepsis raises the risk for future infections.
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By Mayo Clinic Staff
Feb 10, 2023
1.Forrester JD. Sepsis and septic shock. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/critical-care-medicine/sepsis-and-septic-shock/sepsis-and-septic-shock. Accessed Nov. 19, 2022.
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What are the symptoms of sepsis in a child? Newborns or infants with sepsis can show these symptoms: Bulging soft spot; Changes in heart rate; Decreased urination; Difficulty waking from sleep; Disinterest in or difficulty feeding; Fever (rectal temperature) of 100.4 degrees or greater; Inability or unwillingness to make eye contact
This clinical pathway was developed by a consensus group of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital (JHACH) physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses and pharmacists to standardize the recognition and management of children presenting with clinical signs of sepsis.
May 25, 2022 · Sepsis is a clinical syndrome that complicates severe infection and is characterized by the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), immune dysregulation, microcirculatory derangements, and end-organ dysfunction.
Apr 16, 2020 · Overview: Sepsis is a leading cause of death for children in the U.S., taking more young lives than childhood cancers.1 More than 18 children die from sepsis each day in the U.S.1 and many of those lives could be saved with improved public awareness of sepsis symptoms and expanded health provider education.
Dec 15, 2023 · Summary. Sepsis in children may present initially with non-specific, non-localised symptoms (especially in younger age groups). Therefore it is important to have a low threshold for suspecting sepsis as the initial clinical presentation of sepsis.
