Viral sepsis in the pediatric intensive care unit

Abstract

Consensus definitions of pediatric sepsis clearly include viral infections, and yet most studies of sepsis in the intensive care environment specifically exclude viral infections. Viral infections are a common cause of admission to the pediatric or neonatal intensive care. They are probably underestimated, and new techniques of viral identification offer an opportunity to expand our understanding of the true impact of viral infections on critical illness in childhood. Not only are viral infections a cause of admission, but they may also constitute a significant component and risk of nosocomial infections in the pediatric intensive care unit. Specific antiviral therapies are limited, and in many cases immunization and prevention is the most effective approach to severe viral infections. With climate changes, the distribution of insect borne viral infections is changing across the world and these infections are starting to occur in new geographical areas. Attention has to be paid to the issue of protection of pediatric intensive care staff against viral infections.

Keywords

Viral sepsis - children - intensive care