Sepsis in Children: Early Signs Parents Shouldn’t Ignore

 

Sepsis is a serious health condition involving an extreme immune system response to an infection. While it can affect anyone, the Global Report on the Epidemiology and Burden of Sepsis published in 2020 reported that nearly half of all estimated sepsis cases globally occurred in children under the age of five. This disturbing statistic emphasises the need to spread awareness of this serious illness.

 

This blog discusses some early signs of sepsis that parents should look out for to ensure a timely diagnosis of sepsis in children.

What is Sepsis? 

Before discussing the early signs of sepsis in children, it’s important to understand what this illness is. Sepsis is a life-threatening illness that is a result of the body’s response to an infection. The immune system protects the body from infections but can, at times, offer an extreme response. This condition is referred to as sepsis.

 

There are three stages of sepsis. These include:

 

• Sepsis: This involves an infection entering one’s bloodstream and causing inflammation in the body.• Severe Sepsis: This stage involves the infection and inflammation becoming severe enough to affect organ function.

 

• Septic Shock: This is a serious complication of sepsis that can cause a substantial drop in blood pressure. It can lead to extreme complications such as organ dysfunction, stroke, respiratory or heart failure, and even death.

Early Signs of Sepsis in Children

While there are no specific early signs of sepsis in children, parents must act on the following symptoms of sepsis in children early to ensure timely medical intervention:

• Fever
• Lethargy
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Dehydration
• Pain or discomfort
• Confusion
• Difficulty in breathing
• Racing heart

 

While the above are some common symptoms of sepsis in children, these can vary with age. For instance, in the case of newborns and infants, the symptoms also include:

 

• Changes in heart rate
• Decreased urination
• Bulging soft spot
• Difficulty in waking up
• Disinterest in food
• Unwillingness to make eye contact
• Irritability or inconsolable crying
• Rashes
• Changes in skin colour
• Trouble breathing or rapid breathing
• Taking a pause in breathing for more than 10 seconds (apnea)
• Appearance of being unwell

What Causes Sepsis?

Sepsis can be caused by bacterial, fungal or viral infections. Sepsis can occur when an infection instigates a reaction across the body and causes organ dysfunction. Further, the infection that causes sepsis can originate from any part of the body.

 

Common sites include:

 

• Respiratory System: Infections such as pneumonia can cause sepsis.
• Gastrointestinal System: Bowel problems and infections in the appendix, abdominal cavity, gallbladder, and liver can cause sepsis.
• Urinary Tract System: Urinary tract infections are especially common in individuals with catheters.
• Skin: Conditions such as cellulitis (inflammation of the skin’s connective tissue) and bacteria that enter through a wound on an opening for a catheter or IV can cause sepsis.

Who is at Risk of Developing Sepsis?

Sepsis can develop in children or adults at any age. That said, here are the individuals who are most at risk for the illness:

• Newborns and infants under three months of age whose immune systems aren’t developed enough to fight extreme infections
• Children who are not adequately vaccinated
• Children and adults with chronic medical conditions, HIV, cancer, or other conditions that affect their immune system
• Elderly individuals

How Can Parents Prevent Sepsis in Children?

Here are some ways parents can prevent the onset of sepsis in children:

 

• Completing Vaccinations: Children must be vaccinated against common infections and illnesses.
• Maintaining Hygiene: Frequent washing of hands and overall hygiene help prevent the introduction of germs into the body.
• Seeking Timely Medication Intervention: It’s best to consult a healthcare professional in case an infection is not improving, or the above-mentioned symptoms start manifesting.

 

Sepsis is a serious illness that, if not treated properly and early, can lead to extreme complications and even death. Parents who notice the above-mentioned early signs of sepsis in children must consult a healthcare professional and book a Sepsis panel test with Dr Lal PathLabs for accurate and timely medical intervention.

FAQs

1. What causes sepsis?

Any type of bacterial, fungal, or viral infection can cause sepsis. Some of the most common causes of sepsis include infections in the lungs, urinary system, digestive system, bloodstream, wounds, or catheter sites.

2. What are the early signs of sepsis in children?

Some of the early signs of sepsis in children can include fever, lethargy, pain, discomfort, vomiting or nausea, dehydration, and dizziness.

3. Who is most at risk for sepsis?

The ones at risk of developing sepsis are newborns, infants under three months of age, children who are not adequately vaccinated, children and adults with chronic medication conditions, HIV, cancer, or other immune system weakening conditions, and elderly individuals.

4. What are the stages of sepsis?

The three stages of sepsis are:

• Sepsis: The infection enters the bloodstream and causes inflammation in the body.
• Severe Sepsis: The infection and inflammation begin affecting organ function.
• Septic Shock: Sepsis causes a substantial drop in blood pressure and causes extreme complications such as organ dysfunction, stroke, respiratory or heart failure, or death.