Pediatric Sepsis Awareness for Clinicians

Did you know anyone can get an infection, and almost any infection can lead to sepsis? With your fast recognition and treatment, most patients survive.

Most minor injuries and illnesses—such as cuts, scrapes, and colds—get better on their own. Sometimes cuts or scrapes get infected, and some mild illnesses can become more serious. If this happens, a child may need immediate treatment. Children can have reduced risk of sepsis by receiving recommended vaccinations, keeping their hands clean, and keeping their cuts and wounds covered until healed, and for children who have a chronic disease, taking good care of their health.

A child with sepsis may have one or more of the following signs and symptoms:

• High heart rate or weak pulse
• Fever, shivering or feeling very cold
• Confusion or disorientation
• Shortness of breath
• Extreme pain or discomfort
• Clammy or sweaty skin

What should healthcare professionals do if they suspect sepsis? 

Sepsis is a medical emergency. You play a critical role. Protect your patients by acting fast:

• Know your facility’s existing guidance for diagnosing and managing sepsis.
• Immediately alert the healthcare professional overseeing care of the patient if it is not you.
• Start antibiotics as soon as possible in addition to other therapies appropriate for the patient. If a specific bacterial cause of sepsis is known, therapy should be targeted to optimize treatment and to avoid unnecessary use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.
• Check patient progress frequently. Treatment requires urgent medical care, usually in an intensive care unit in a hospital, and includes careful monitoring of vital signs and often antibiotics.
• Early and frequent reassessment of patients with sepsis should be undertaken to determine the appropriate duration and type of therapy.

Resources for Families:

• Sepsis in Infants & Children - HealthyChildren.org
• Get Ahead of Sepsis: Your Child is Not Feeling Well (pocket card)

This resource was supported through funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under 6 NU38PW000050-01-01. CDC is an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this resource do not necessarily represent the policies of AAP, CDC or HHS and should not be considered an endorsement by the Federal Government.