Pediatric Sepsis: A Primer for the Pediatrician

This journal article outlines how sepsis is the body ' s systemic response to infection and is a serious health care concern that affects neonatal, pediatric, and adult populations worldwide. Severe sepsis and septic shock are still associated with high mortality rates despite improvements in the management of infectious processes. The cellular processes that occur as a result of the inflammatory response in sepsis, including impaired perfusion and microcirculatory coagulation, can lead to organ system dysfunction. Early recognition of sepsis can help prompt treatment to improve patient care. Current pediatric guidelines emphasize early recognition, aggressive fluid resuscitation, and administration of antibiotics within the first hour for a better outcome. The practitioner needs to always be mindful of the possibility of sepsis when examining a patient with potential symptoms.
Source: Current Awareness Service for Health (CASH) - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news