What’s New in the Recognition and Management of Septic Shock in Children: Dos and Don'ts

Abstract

While there has been a reduction in the number of children dying of septic shock in the richer countries of the world, septic shock remains an important cause of both mortality and morbidity for children across the world. Major reduction in the incidence of septic shock will depend on the implementation of public health measures, including immunization. Improvements in outcome of pediatric septic shock have been closely linked to early recognition (although this may be challenging in many situations); early antibiotic administration; early and appropriate fluid administration and subsequent escalation of critical care. A particular challenge has been the development and implementation of systems to ensure that these elements of management are reliably and efficiently implemented in children (even in well-resourced countries). Recent studies have highlighted the complexity of caring for patients with acute severe sepsis and septic shock in countries with fewer resources, and there is an urgent need for further studies to elucidate the implications of these studies for the management of children with septic shock, particularly in settings where additional critical care support such as inotropic or ventilator support may not be readily available.