Paediatric sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by an extreme immune response to an infection—whether bacterial, viral, or fungal. While sepsis can affect people of all ages, it is particularly dangerous in children because early symptoms can be difficult to recognise. Many signs, such as fever, resemble common childhood illnesses, making a timely diagnosis challenging.

Parents play a critical role in early detection by voicing their concerns to clinicians, and clinicians can support early diagnosis by actively listening to parents, incorporating their observations into assessments, and asking the parent or carer whether they feel their child is deteriorating.

In adults, sepsis is often identified by symptoms like rapid heartbeat and low blood pressure, but in children, these signs can present differently, requiring careful evaluation. Paediatric sepsis can develop from a minor infection, such as an infected scrape, or result from serious conditions like pneumonia or acute appendicitis. Early recognition and treatment are essential to improving outcomes.

Source: Sepsis Australia