11 Paediatric Sepsis

Question 1

What is the adult definition of sepsis? What measurements are taken initially to help us determine if a patient has sepsis?

Answer 1

1. RR- high
2. BP- low
3. GCS- decreased

Question 2

What is the paediatric definition of sepsis?

Answer 2

Question 3

What are the 5 time specific goals for the management of sepsis in paediatric patients?

Answer 3

Question 4

Every hour that antibiotics are delayed in a patient with sepsis, by what percentage does mortality increase?

Answer 4

7% increase with every hour delay

Question 5

Once bacteria is in the blood stream, how long does it take for it to double in number?

Answer 5

20 mins to double

Question 6

if you have poor perfusion of the tissues, what happens to the lactate levels in blood?

Answer 6

Lactate levels go up

Question 7

How useful is capillary refill time in diagnosing sepsis?

Answer 7

Not useful on its own; useful in the clinical context

Question 8

If a child has suspected sepsis but they have a normal temperature, does this reassure you that it’s ok to discharge this child?

Answer 8

No- not necessarily

Question 9

What antibiotics do we give to children with sepsis at age:

• < 1 month
• 1-3 months
• >3 months

Answer 9

• < 1 month
• 1-3 months
• >3 months