SEPSIS IN CHILDREN INFORMATION SHEET
This information sheet was compiled to support Sirona care and health clinical teams in raising the awareness of sepsis in children. This support of the National campaign from the Sepsis Trust and the publication of the NICE guidelines 51: Sepsis: recognition, diagnosis and early management.
The aim of the National Sepsis Trust Campaign is tohelp parents identify when their children are seriously unwell and to encourage them to seek urgent medical attention. Research has proved that acting quickly can save a child’s life.
Sepsis:
- Affects about 10,000 children every year in the UK and kills at least 37,000 people annually.
- A life-threatening condition that arises when the body's immune system response to an infection becomes overwhelming and damages its own tissues and organs.
- Leads to shock, multiple organ failure and death especially if not recognized early and treated promptly.
- Remains the primary cause of death from infection despite advances in modern medicine, including vaccines, antibiotics and acute care.
Cause by:
- The body response to an infection going in to over drive and starts damaging healthy parts of the body
- A huge variety of different infectious organisms (virus, fungi, parasites, bacteria), most cases being caused by common bacteria.
- The infection can originate from something as simple as a cut or a bite or other infections such aschest,intestines,or urinary tract,and childhood diseases such as meningitis and measles.
Early recognition
- If it is not spotted early and treated with antibiotics, it can lead to serious complications that affect the kidneys, lungs, brain, and heart, leading to multiple organ failure and death
- Any child unwell with infections that is growing rapidly worst and parents notice illness seems different to any previous illness
- Parents who feel the need to seek out medical advice more than once due to the feeling the child is still not well or isn't getting better
- Any child under five who is not eating, is vomiting repeatedly, or who has not had a wee or wet nappy for more than 12 hours may have sepsis
- Symptoms can be varied from one child to another.
These are severe signs and of sepsis in children::
- Looking mottled, bluish or pale
- Very lethargic or difficult to wake
- Feels abnormally cold to touch
- Very fast breathing
- Rashes that do not fade when you press it
- Fits or convulsion
For signs and symptoms of early sepsis-see attached leaflet :
Diagnosis and treatment:
In hospital early management of sepsis by using the Sepsis 6 reduces the death rate caused by sepsis.
The Sepsis Six are:1. Administer high flow oxygen.
2. Take blood cultures
3. Give broad spectrum antibiotics
4. Give intravenous fluid challenges
5. Measure serum lactate and hemoglobin
6. Measure accurate hourly urine output /
Useful tools
Paediatric Handi app: This free app for smartphone and tablet provides expert support to medical professionals as well as to parents/carers in looking after children with the most common childhood illnesses. Localised versions have been developed for Devon and Somerset.
National Campaign-
UK Sepsis Trust materials
The Sepsis Trust has a large amount of material to support professionals as well as the public: See:
Professional Education videos:
Clinical tool Kits: National flowcharts-
NICE guidelines 51: Sepsis: recognition, diagnosis and early management.
Professional page:
Information for the public:
NHS leaflet: What every parentneeds to knowabout sepsis.
NHS WHEN SHOULD I WORRY? - Your guide to Coughs, Colds, Earache & Sore Throats
Sepsis in children information sheet 22/12/2016 Jackie Albrow Sirona Infection Prevention and control Team