Child Health

Question 1

How can you test for meningococcal sepsis?

Answer 1

Tumbler test - place a glass against the purpuric rash, if it is non-blanching then it is meningococcal sepsis.

Question 2

What is the QSOFA score?

Answer 2

Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score - measures RR, BP and GCS, and is used to measure a person’s organ function/dysfunction.

Question 3

What is the definition of sepsis in adults?

Answer 3

Life threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection.

Question 4

What is the definition of sepsis in children?

Answer 4

SIRS and suspected/proven infection.

Question 5

What is SIRS?

Answer 5

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome - high or low temperature, high HR, high RR and high or low WCC - can indicate childhood sepsis.

Question 6

What is intraosseous access?

Answer 6

When a needle is put straight into the bone marrow for very fast circulatory access, often used in children who are harder to cannulate.

Question 7

How does the sepsis 6 bundle differ in children?

Answer 7

Different ABX are given:
<1 month - gentamicin, amoxicillin and cefotaxime
1-3 months - amoxicillin and ceftriaxone
>3 months - ceftriaxone

Question 8

What is lactate and what can a high level indicate?

Answer 8

Naturally produced by the body during times of stress (not the same as lactic acid!), elevation is associated with sepsis and SIRS.