sepsis
Life-threatening systemic inflammatory response to infection requiring immediate medical intervention.
Full Definition
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body's response to infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs. In pediatric patients, sepsis can progress rapidly from subtle early signs to septic shock and multi-organ failure. Early recognition is crucial as outcomes are significantly improved with prompt antibiotic therapy and supportive care. Pediatric sepsis presentations may differ from adult patterns, with children often maintaining normal blood pressure until late in the disease process, making recognition challenging and requiring high clinical suspicion.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from bacteremia and septic shock; note early versus late-onset in neonates.
In Context
- "The neonate presented with early-onset sepsis requiring empiric antibiotic therapy." — NICU admission note
- "Pediatric sepsis protocols were initiated for the febrile infant with altered mental status." — Emergency department note