Abstract
Early recognition of pediatric severe sepsis and septic shock followed by aggressive
protocolized clinical management are the keys to improving mortality outcomes. Timely
admission to the pediatric intensive care unit allows ongoing aggressive resuscitation,
and early institution of targeted therapy guided by central venous pressure and mixed
venous oximetry. This allows optimization of management according to changing hemodynamic
patterns. Early application of lung protective strategies before the onset of an acute
lung injury, or after its development as well as management of acute kidney injury
can reduce morbidity and mortality from sepsis. Increasing experience with extracorporeal
membrane oxygenation and plasmapheresis may improve outcomes in septic shock in the
future.
Keywords
Sepsis - septic shock - intensive care - management - child
