Steven Kwasi Korang ,Christian GluudJanus, C. Jakobsen
ACTA Anaeshesiologica Scandinavica Volume 63, Issue6 July 2019 Pages 819-826
Sepsis may be defined as life–threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Sepsis is one of the oldest known clinical syndromes as it was described by Homer in 2700 BC. Sepsis is the primary diagnosis in more than 8% of all critically ill children and is estimated to be the leading cause of death in infants and children worldwide, with an annual mortality of approximately 1.6 million per year.Sepsis is among the ten leading causes of death in children <10 years and consumes substantial healthcare resources, with an average length of stay of 31 days and cost of $40 600. Mortality has been thought to vary among countries and among ages with neonates being more exposed than older children. Septic shock mortality has been shown to be 3% in previously healthy children and 6% to 9% in children with chronic illness (compared to 25% to 30% among adults with septic shock). However, a recent large worldwide prospective cross‐sectional study has shown contradicting results with a hospitality mortality of 25% in children with severe sepsis, with no significant difference between age groups.
The exact pathophysiology behind sepsis is still unknown. The clinical criteria in children are based on a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) with a coexisting suspected or confirmed infection.7 SIRS has been defined by a combined abnormality in some of the four following variables: temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate and white blood cell count . Read More
