Sepsis is a leading cause of death in children worldwide, with millions of lives lost each year, yet it remains difficult to diagnose and treat effectively, according to health experts.
Sepsis is a critical health issue affecting children globally, responsible for over 3.4 million deaths annually, as reported by the Sepsis Alliance. Alarmingly, 85% of these fatalities occur in children under the age of five. Despite being treatable, nearly 10% of sepsis cases in children are missed in emergency rooms, highlighting the challenges physicians face in diagnosing and managing this condition.
Professor Elliot Long, a team leader in clinical sciences and emergency research at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia, sheds light on the complexities of diagnosing sepsis in children. He explains that the immune system’s response to infection can be either excessively vigorous or insufficient, leading to severe complications. “The immune response can be underactive, which leads to severe, overwhelming infection, or it can be overactive, causing damage to the body’s organs, which can be life-threatening,” Long stated in an interview with Fox News Digital.
Long, who recently received a $5 million grant from the National Critical Research Infrastructure Initiative to explore potential treatments for sepsis across Australia and New Zealand, emphasizes that many parents are unaware of how prevalent and serious sepsis can be. The symptoms of sepsis can often be subtle and overlap with those of common viral infections, making it easy to overlook.
“The paradox is that sepsis in its late stages is very easy to pick up, but the treatments aren’t very effective,” Long noted. “Conversely, sepsis in its early stages is very tricky to identify, yet that is when treatments are most likely to be effective.”
To assist in recognizing the early signs of sepsis, the Sepsis Alliance has developed the acronym T.I.M.E., which stands for Temperature (abnormal fever or hypothermia), Infection (evidence of an infection such as a cut or pneumonia), Mental decline (confusion or extreme sleepiness), and Extremely ill (severe pain or shortness of breath). Additional warning signs may include low blood pressure, organ dysfunction, and clammy skin.
Early detection and treatment of sepsis are crucial in preventing life-threatening complications that can affect vital organs such as the kidneys, heart, liver, and brain. Long explains that sometimes, preventing this damage may require what appears to be overtreatment with antibiotics. Current treatments for sepsis are primarily supportive, focusing on administering antibiotics while managing the abnormal immune responses until normal function is restored.
“Supportive treatments include providing oxygen and fluids, and if children require assistance with breathing due to low oxygen levels or impaired consciousness, they may need to be placed on a ventilator,” Long elaborated. “We have significant work ahead to develop treatments that not only support but also modify the immune response to improve outcomes for children with sepsis.”
Despite children’s inherent resilience, sepsis can lead to long-term consequences. Long and his team are vigilant about potential long-term issues related to cognition, emotions, and motor skills following a sepsis diagnosis. “The impact isn’t just on the children; it extends to the parents as well, who endure an extremely stressful experience,” he said. “In some cases, they are faced with the possibility of their child dying, leaving them with the burden of survivorship.”
Given the difficulty in recognizing early signs of sepsis, Long stresses the importance of healthcare providers listening closely to parents. “If parents express that their child is exhibiting an unusual response to an infection or that this is the sickest they have ever seen their child, these are critical red flags indicating that the situation may be more serious than a minor infection,” he advised.
Sepsis is most commonly seen in children under five years old, particularly in those who are less than a year old. This age group often cannot verbalize their symptoms, making parental observations crucial in identifying the condition. Long highlights the significance of “Martha’s Rule,” a principle that empowers parents to advocate for their sick children, especially in cases of sepsis where timely intervention can be life-saving.
“If parents notice their child is worsening or deteriorating, Martha’s Rule allows them to bypass local escalation procedures and seek an independent opinion,” Long explained. “This ensures that their child receives the appropriate level of care in the event of a deterioration.”
As awareness of sepsis grows, it is essential for both parents and healthcare professionals to recognize the signs and act swiftly to improve outcomes for affected children.
Source: Original article