Beware of sepsis in children which can cause death & bull; hello healthy

Sepsis, or sometimes called blood poisoning, is the human immune system's deadly response to infection or injury. Sepsis can affect anyone, but it is more likely to affect groups of people with weak immune systems, one of whom is young children - especially premature babies and newborns.

In the United States there are more than 42 thousand children who experience severe sepsis each year and 4,400 of them die from it. This figure is recorded to exceed the number of child deaths from cancer. Sepsis in children in developing countries like Indonesia is even more serious, and takes more lives. As a comparison, the mortality rate for sepsis in newborns in Indonesia is quite high, namely 12-50% of the total mortality rate for newborns.

Here is some more information about sepsis in children that parents need to know

What is sepsis?

Sepsis is generally considered a condition that consists of a series of disturbances due to infection - from bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites, or the toxic waste resulting from these microorganisms - which have already entered the bloodstream.

Infections are usually caused by bacteria invading the body. To protect the body from disease, the immune system will fight against the bacteria in the most problematic parts of the body. However, if your child has sepsis, the bacteria from the infection and waste toxins can change body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure, as well as prevent the body's organs from working properly. This then causes widespread and uncontrollable inflammation and blood clots in the small blood vessels. As a result, the child's immune system overreacts and attacks the child's organs and tissues.

How does sepsis in children occur?

Any kind of infection in the body can trigger sepsis. Sepsis is often associated with infections of the lungs (for example, pneumonia), urinary tract (for example, kidneys), skin, and intestines. Staphylococcus aureus (Staph), E. coli, and some types of Streptococcus (strep) are the most common types of germs that cause sepsis.

In newborns and those in the early stages of life, transmission of sepsis is generally acquired from mothers who had group B streptococcus (GSB) infection during pregnancy; the mother has a high fever during childbirth; the baby was born prematurely; or maternal water rupture more than 24 hours before delivery or premature rupture of membranes (before 37 weeks of gestation). In addition, infants can contract sepsis while in the NICU for treatment of certain health conditions; or catch it from an adult who has a contagious infection.

Infants and young children with certain medical problems may not be able to receive the vaccine at the set time. This makes children vulnerable to contracting diseases. Many of the infectious diseases in children can cause severe complications, particularly German measles (Rubella), chicken pox, and Haemophilus influenza B (Hib).

In older children, physical activity (from school or play) makes them more prone to abrasions and open wounds. Left untreated, even superficial scratches on the knee or elbow, or even from surgical sutures, can become a gateway for bacteria to enter the body and cause infection. In addition, children, like adults, can develop diseases such as urinary tract infections, ear infections, pneumonia, meningitis and malnutrition. Untreated, these diseases can also lead to sepsis.

What are the symptoms of sepsis in children?

Sepsis in a newborn child can produce a variety of symptoms. Often times, babies just look "out of the box" to the eyes of adults. Symptoms of sepsis in newborns and young babies include:

• Abstinence from eating or difficulty drinking breast milk (or formula milk), vomiting
• Fever (more than 38ºC or high rectal temperature); sometimes the body temperature is low
• Whining and crying all the time
• Sluggish (not interacting and being silent)
• Weak body (looks sluggish and "unfilled" when you pick him up)
• Changes in heart rate - slower or faster than usual (early sepsis symptoms), or very slower than normal (late-stage sepsis, usually followed by shock)
• Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
• The moment the child stops breathing for more than 10 seconds (apnea)
• Skin discoloration - pale, uneven skin tone, and / or turning blue
• Jaundice occurs (yellowish eyes and skin)
• Red rash
• Small amount of urine
• Bulge or swelling of the baby's crown

If you see your baby (3-12 months) showing any of these signs, especially high rectal temperature, mood changes, looks lethargic, and won't eat, take him to the doctor immediately. If your child's whining cannot be relieved, is unwilling to make eye contact, or is difficult to wake up, take him to the doctor immediately even if the fever is not high.

Sepsis is the result of an inflammatory infection, therefore symptoms of sepsis in children can include signs of infection (diarrhea, vomiting, sore throat, chills, chills, etc.) as well as any of the following symptoms: fever (or hypothermia, or seizures)), mood disorders (easily cranky, angry; looks confused, disoriented), breathless or difficult to breathe, drowsiness and lethargy (difficult to wake up more than usual), a rash, looks sick "not feeling well", skin is clammy or always sweating, urinating infrequently or not at all, or the child complains of a racing heart.

Additionally, a child who has sepsis may initially start with another infection, such as cellulitis or pneumonia, which seems to be spreading and / or getting worse, not getting better.

What is the impact if the child gets sepsis?

Sepsis requires immediate medical care. Left untreated, the range of manifestations of sepsis can range from blood poisoning accompanied by early signs of circulatory disorders - including rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath, dilated blood vessels, and fever (or hypothermia) - to a drastic drop in blood pressure, leading to failure. total organ systems and death.

What should be done if the child has sepsis?

Detecting sepsis in children is not easy. Some children with blood poisoning become more irritable and lethargic, but sometimes the most obvious symptom is fever. This is why it's important to take a child under 3 months to the doctor as soon as possible as soon as you notice his rectal temperature is over 38ºC, even if he doesn't have any other symptoms.

In general, if your child shows any signs of infection (from a physical wound or internal disease), take them to the doctor - especially if they feel "not feeling well" or the symptoms of the infection are not going away. The doctor can run laboratory tests to determine the exact diagnosis of your child's complaint.

If sepsis is evident, or just a temporary suspicion, the child can be recommended hospitalization so that the team of doctors can watch the development of the child's infection and give intravenous antibiotics to fight the infection - usually treatment is started even before the official diagnosis. Several medicines may be given to relieve your child's signs and symptoms and treat or control other problems. If needed, babies and toddlers may receive intravenous fluids to keep them hydrated, blood pressure medications to keep their hearts working properly, and a respirator to help them breathe.

Can I prevent the risk of sepsis in children?

There is no guarantee to prevent all types of sepsis. But some cases can be avoided by preventing the transmission of the GBS bacteria from mother to child during childbirth. Pregnant women can have a simple test between the 35th and 37th week of pregnancy to determine if they carry the GBS bacteria.

Then, make sure that your child's immunizations are complete and up to date. Routine immunizations given to infants at this time include preventive vaccinations for certain types of pneumoccocus bacteria and Haemophilus influenzae type B which can cause sepsis and occult bacteremia (blood infection). The recently introduced pneumoccocal (Prevnar) infection was reported to reduce the risk of pneumococcal infection by more than 90 percent.

Make sure that the child does not touch, pry, or peel the boil or wet wound. Watch for any signs of infection. For children with medical devices such as catheters or long-term use of intravenous lines, be sure to follow the doctor's instructions for cleaning and disassembling the device.

Finally, make sure that adults and older children who are sick do not kiss, hug, hold, or come near your child's reach. People working with infants and toddlers should have an up-to-date list of vaccinations. In addition, teach children and other family members to be diligent in washing their hands. Washing your hands with soap and water is the best way to prevent infection.