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Septicemia; "Blood poisoning"
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- The most common occurrences of pediatric sepsis are (1) in the neonatal period (first 30 days of life); (2) in post-splenectomy patients; and (3) in meningitis.
- Ordinarily, common usage refers to bacterial infection of the bloodstream, causing symptoms, and would exclude viral infection. A well-known fungal infection of the bloodstream, caused by yeast (candida) is known as candida sepsis, so the term, "sepsis," is not strictly limited to bacterial causes.
- Sepsis is a serious condition.
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- Infection may be acquired in-utero, or during labor. Alternatively, infection may be acquired post-natally.
- Post-natal symptoms in neonates:
- Poor suck, poor feeding, weakness, irritability
- Poor weight gain in the nursery, numerous other symptoms
- Temperature instability, including sub-normal temperature
- Pallor, gray color, jaundice, abnormal vital signs, respiratory distress, enlargement of liver and/or spleen, Diarrhea
- Alternatively, a septic neonate might have no symptoms or signs.
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- Group B Streptococcus
- E. coli
- L. monocytogenes
- S. Pneumonia
- Group A Streptococcus
- Staphylococcus
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- Because infection can occur in-utero or during labor, it is important to note the presence of the ante-natal risk factors above.
- Diagnosis is determined by the collection of symptoms and signs, and supported by laboratory data such as the WBC (white blood cell) count and differential, and any positive blood cultures.
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- Ante-natal (prenatal, prior to birth) risk factors:
- Premature rupture of membranes
- Group B Streptococcal infection in the mother
- Maternal fever
- Cloudy, foul-smelling amniotic fluid
- Post-natal (after birth) risk factors:
- Presence of catheters, tubes, drains
- Antecedent deep infections (Pneumonia, meningitis, Urinary Tract Infection)
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- Ordinarily, antibiotics or antifungals intravenously
- Supportive measures
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- Widespread bacterial infection of organs and shock
- DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation)
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- Consult a physician urgently. In the case of a newborn, sepsis can be life threatening
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- Viremia (i.e., presence of viruses in the blood, causing symptoms of malaise, fever, aches, etc.)
- Shock from any cause
- Infants with temperature instability
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