Sepsis in children - recognising the signs

By Emma Hudson

Published September 27, 2024In: Clinical Negligence

September is designated Sepsis Awareness Month. It is a time when organisations involved in the care and treatment of patients with sepsis and those affected by sepsis aim to heighten awareness of this medical emergency.

Despite many high profile education campaigns, is still one of the most frequent causes of death worldwide with the World Health Organisation (WHO) reporting data published in 2020 showing 48.9 million cases and 11 million sepsis-related deaths worldwide.

In the UK, There are on average 25,000 cases of childhood every year.

is a life-threatening condition which occurs when the body’s immune system has an extreme response to an infection. The body’s reaction causes damage to it own tissues and organs and it can lead to shock, multiple organ failure and sometimes death, especially if not recognised early and treated promptly. Those who are considered more vulnerable, such as young children, those who are pregnant, the elderly and anyone with other health problems, are most at risk of serious complications from sepsis.

As experienced clinical negligence solicitors, sadly we see many concerning cases where there has been delayed sepsis diagnosis resulting in avoidable injuries if the diagnosis had been made earlier and timely treatment administered.

A recent inquest shared the story of Daniel Klosi, who was only 4 when he died from at the Royal Free Hospital in Camden. Daniel, who was taken to hospital four times in a week, was “probably” septic when he was seen by medical staff in the hours before he died.

Following the inquest a number of areas for improvement were identified to be implemented immediately. These included improving staff training in relation to children who repeatedly visit the emergency departments, how the trust caters and cares for children with learning disabilities, and the importance of listening to parents' concerns.

Prompt recognition of the signs of is vital and the employment of appropriate antibiotics before the “tipping point” are crucial to treating the condition and maximising survival chances, reducing the likelihood of significant long-term injuries.

What is sepsis?

can be caused by most types of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi and parasites, however it can also be caused by infections with transmissible viruses.

It is frequently under-diagnosed at an early stage – when it is potentially still reversible. The signs and symptoms of in children can be slightly different to symptoms in adults.

Symptoms that might indicate include:

cold mottled skin
rapid breath or shortness of breath
very high or low temperature
poor feeding, vomiting or diarrhoea
sweaty, blue, grey or pale blotchy skin and lips
a rash that doesn’t fade
little or no urine output
a weak, high pitched cry that’s not like a normal cry
extra sleepiness, trouble waking up, or confusion
complaining of bad pain (babies and very young children might just cry a lot)

Those with suspected infection and experiencing any of these symptoms should contact their hospital or physician immediately.

World Sepsis Day

World Day is held on the 13 September every year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against sepsis. accounts for at least 11 million deaths worldwide annually. Yet, depending on country and education, is known only to 7 – 50% of the population. Likewise, it is poorly known that can be prevented by vaccination and clean care and that early recognition and treatment reduces mortality by 50%. This lack of knowledge makes the number one preventable cause of death worldwide.

Further information on World Day is available here.

Contact our specialist child medical negligence claims team

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