Bjorn Gunnarsson1,2

Theodor Skuli Sigurdsson3,4

Bergthor Steinn Jonsson5,6

 

1Department of Health Care Quality and Patient Safety, Akureyri Hospital, 2Institute of Health Science Research, University of Akureyri, Akureyri, Iceland, 3Division of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Landspitali – The National University Hospital of Iceland, 4Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, 5Department of Emergency Medicine, Akureyri Hospital, 6Department of Emergency Medicine, Landspitali – The National University Hospital of Iceland

 

Correspondence: Bjorn Gunnarsson, bjorngun@unak.is

 

Key words: pediatric sepsis, Early Recognition and Management, Hemodynamic, Dysfunction, Antimicrobial Therapy, Septic Shock, Vasoactive Medications

 

Sepsis is a life-threatening syndrome that occurs when a dysregulated host response to infection results in organ dysfunction. Globally, approximately 50 million cases of sepsis are diagnosed each year, with children accounting for nearly half. Despite advances in vaccination and medical treatment, sepsis remains one of the leading causes of childhood mortality worldwide, and many survivors experience long-term sequelae. The aim of this short review is to raise awareness of recent developments and to discuss key aspects of the diagnosis and management of pediatric sepsis.

The clinical presentation of sepsis is often nonspecific, including symptoms such as fever, tachycardia, and increased respiratory rate, making diagnosis challenging. Systematic screening using clinical assessment tools, combined with targeted measurement of biomarkers, can facilitate earlier and more accurate diagnosis. Prognosis improves significantly when appropriate treatment is initiated promptly. It is therefore essential that physicians and other healthcare professionals maintain a high index of suspicion for sepsis, assess risk systematically, and actively seek clinical and biochemical signs of the condition. When sepsis is suspected, antimicrobial therapy should be administered as soon as possible, with blood cultures obtained beforehand if this does not cause significant delay. Judicious fluid resuscitation and frequent reassessment of the patient’s condition are crucial, and in severe cases, initiation of intravenous or intraosseous adrenaline infusion should not be delayed.

The authors hope that this review will appeal to a broad readership and support clinicians in the rapid and safe recognition and management of sepsis in children.