Understanding Sepsis in Children
Sepsis is a major health issue worldwide, especially among children, claiming over 3.4 million lives annually, according to the Sepsis Alliance. A staggering 85% of these deaths happen before the age of five.
Detecting and treating sepsis in children can be quite challenging for medical professionals, with nearly 10% of cases being missed in emergency rooms.
Infections can lead to lengthy hospital stays, often exceeding a month for affected children.
Professor Elliot Long, a leader in clinical science and emergency research at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia, points out that many people are not well-informed about sepsis.
Essentially, sepsis occurs when the immune system reacts improperly to an infection.
“The immune reaction might not be recognized for its severity, which can lead to a catastrophic infection. Conversely, if the immune response gets too strong, it can harm the organs. This can be incredibly dangerous,” he elaborates.
This year, Long secured a $5 million grant to explore new sepsis treatments across Australia and New Zealand. He emphasizes that sepsis is often overlooked because many parents are unaware of how common and serious it can be.
Symptoms can be quite subtle. “They often overlap with typical signs of mild viral infections in kids,” Long explains.
“It’s ironic that while late-stage sepsis is more obvious, it’s less treatable. Early-stage sepsis, on the other hand, is hard to identify but has a better chance of successful treatment,” he adds.
Sepsis Detection and Treatment
The Sepsis Alliance uses an acronym to help remember the main warning signs:
- t = Temperature: Either fever or low body temperature.
- I = Infection: Signs of infection, such as pneumonia or urinary tract infections.
- m = Mental decline: Confusion or extreme sleepiness.
- e = Very sick: Intense pain, shortness of breath, or feeling very unwell.
Other indicators might include confusion, extreme discomfort, low blood pressure, organ dysfunction, and changes in skin condition.
Long states that catching sepsis early is key to preventing life-threatening complications that could damage organs like the kidneys, heart, and liver. This sometimes means providing what might seem like excessive antibiotic treatment.
Current sepsis treatments are still evolving and mainly involve supportive care, such as administering antibiotics and managing immune responses while waiting for the child to stabilize.
Supportive measures might include oxygen therapy or administering fluids. If breathing aid is necessary due to low oxygen levels, a ventilator may be required. “We’re trying to find treatments that are not just supportive but also improve outcomes for children suffering from sepsis,” Long says.
Even though children are resilient, sepsis can have lasting effects. Long and his team are investigating long-term challenges related to cognitive and emotional development.
“It doesn’t just affect the kids; parents also go through immense stress. They are faced with the frightening possibility of losing their child, creating a heavy emotional burden on families,” he explains.
The Importance of Parental Input
Since early-stage sepsis is often overlooked, it’s crucial for doctors to heed parents’ concerns.
Long emphasizes, “When parents express that their child’s response to an infection seems unusually severe, those observations should be taken very seriously.”
Children under the age of one are particularly at risk, as they can’t always articulate their symptoms. Hence, doctors rely heavily on parental insights about what they observe.
“Martha’s Rules” is a guideline that empowers parents to advocate for their sick children, particularly in cases like sepsis, where quick action can save lives.
“If parents notice their child worsening, these rules allow them to push for immediate attention and seek second opinions, ensuring appropriate care is provided when needed,” Long concludes.
