Pediatric sepsis: From start to finish

Sepsis is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, and represents the leading cause of death among children world-wide. Although risk of mortality from sepsis is decreasing, the incidence of sepsis is increasing, as is the long-term morbidity burden attributable to sepsis. Protocoled sepsis care has been demonstrated to improve outcomes, but before sepsis bundles can be initiated, sepsis must be recognized. Public awareness of the prevalence and lethality of sepsis is lacking. Ideally recognition of the earliest manifestations of infection will prompt interventions that halt the transition to organ dysfunction and sepsis.