Paediatric and neonatal sepsis and inflammation

Sepsis has a huge impact on global mortality and has been declared as a priority by the World Health organisation the WHO.(1) Children have a high incidence of sepsis especially in the neonatal with an estimated 3 million babies affected worldwide and mortality ranges from 11 to 19%.(2) In addition, long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes are affected but this is largely unquantified. However, challenges remain in the early recognition, diagnosis and standardised management of sepsis. This series on Sepsis and inflammation in children reviews the conundrums of diagnostic criteria, biomarkers, management and future strategies to improve outcomes.

Automated summary

Sepsis has a significant impact on global mortality, particularly in children. Long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes are affected, but quantitative data is lacking. Challenges remain in the early recognition, diagnosis, and management of sepsis.