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- Pediatric consensus definitions for sepsis are not accurate in term infants and are not appropriate for preterm infants.
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Oct 1, 2021 · Very preterm infants with early-onset sepsis had higher adjusted risks of death and major medical morbidity compared with those uninfected.
- Dustin D. Flannery, Dustin D. Flannery, Erika M. Edwards, Karen M. Puopolo, Karen M. Puopolo, Jeffre...
- 2021
Pediatric consensus definitions for sepsis are not accurate in term infants and are not appropriate for preterm infants.
- James L. Wynn
- 2016
Oct 18, 2023 · INTRODUCTION. Sepsis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among newborn infants. Although the incidence of sepsis in term and late preterm neonates is low, the potential for serious adverse outcomes is of such great consequence that caregivers should have a low threshold for evaluation and treatment for possible sepsis in neonates.
- Overview
- What are the symptoms?
- What can cause sepsis in a baby?
- Treatment options
- How is it diagnosed?
- What are the risk factors?
- What to expect in the hospital
- Long-term effects
- When to see a doctor
- Outlook
Sepsis is a potentially life threatening condition in which the immune system overreacts to an infection. This overreaction causes damage to the body’s organs and other tissues.
Anyone with an infant or child showing symptoms of sepsis should take them to the emergency room. Without prompt medical treatment, the condition can lead to severe complications, and even death.
Early detection and prompt treatment of sepsis reduce the risk of serious complications and death.
Sepsis symptoms can vary, but they will include one or more of the following:
•rapid heart rate
•rapid breathing
•shortness of breath
•pain or discomfort
Sepsis is an immune system overreaction to an infection somewhere in the body.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most cases of sepsis are due to a bacterial infection. However, sepsis may also occur in response to a viral, fungal, or parasitic infection.
A 2016 case report notes that most cases of sepsis stem from an infection of the respiratory tract or bloodstream.
Children below 1 year of age are at increased risk of developing sepsis, particularly if they were born prematurely or their biological mother had an infection while pregnant.
Other risk factors for sepsis include having a weakened immune system or a chronic health condition, such as:
•diabetes
Sepsis is a medical emergency in anyone, including babies. A parent or caregiver who suspects that their baby has sepsis should take them to the emergency room immediately for specialist treatment.
The first-line treatment for sepsis is intravenous (IV) antibiotics to help fight off the infection. The baby should receive these within 1 hour of arriving at the hospital.
Additionally, the doctor will provide treatments to help stabilize the infant and reduce the risk of further complications. These treatments may include one or more of the following:
•IV fluids and electrolytes
•heart medications
•blood pressure medications
A doctor will carry out diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause of the sepsis. Knowing the cause is key to providing the appropriate treatment.
Some diagnostic tests that doctors may use to diagnose underlying infections include:
•urine tests
•blood tests
•spinal fluid tests
In some cases, doctors may take medical imaging tests to check for damage to the body’s organs and other tissues. Examples of such tests include:
All babies can develop sepsis, though some are at higher risk than others.
Risk factors include:
•being below 1 year of age
•being born prematurely
•the baby’s biological mother experiencing an infection during pregnancy
•having a weakened immune system or other underlying health condition that increases their susceptibility to infections
When arriving at the emergency room, parents or caregivers should expect to answer questions about the baby’s medical history and any symptoms they have had.
The medical team will immediately administer IV fluids and medications before starting to carry out diagnostic tests.
Early medical attention will increase the child’s chances of survival and should reduce their overall recovery time.
However, full recovery from sepsis will take time, and a baby may demonstrate behavioral changes after returning home from the hospital. These changes may include:
•increased tiredness and fatigue
•difficulty sleeping
•difficulty feeding
•increased fussiness
Anyone who notices signs of sepsis in their baby, or a baby in their care, should take them to the emergency room immediately. Sepsis can cause a rapid deterioration in health. Without prompt medical treatment, the condition can be fatal.
A 2014 study reported a 14% mortality rate among children with severe sepsis, but the authors noted that the rate was higher in the subset of participants younger than 1 year.
As sepsis results from infection, parents and caregivers should regularly monitor their baby for signs of infection or illness. Some general signs of infection in babies include:
•poor feeding
•unusual irritability
•persistent crying
A baby with sepsis will require urgent medical treatment to reduce the risk of complications and death.
Severe complications may develop more rapidly in babies who have an impaired immune system or a chronic health condition. Nonetheless, all babies should receive urgent treatment, regardless of their overall health status.
Sep 29, 2022 · Neonatal sepsis refers to an infection involving bloodstream in newborn infants less than 28 days old. It continues to remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among infants, especially in middle and lower-income countries.
- Meenakshi Singh, Mahdi Alsaleem, Cory P. Gray
- 2022/09/29
Jan 21, 2023 · Neonatal sepsis can affect any baby. But premature babies develop sepsis more often than full-term babies because their immune systems are immature. Babies born prematurely don’t have antibodies to protect them against certain bacteria. That’s because they’re born before they can receive the antibodies from their birthing parent.
Mar 19, 2020 · A neonatal sequential organ failure assessment score predicts mortality to late-onset sepsis in preterm very low birth weight infants. Pediatr Res ....
