Sepsis and septic shock: A global overview

Severe sepsis and septic shock are life-threatening diseases in both developed and developing countries and is an important risk factor for morbidity and mortality in all age groups. In developing countries, there is a direct relationship between the incidence of infections and mortality under five years of age. Child mortality in these scenarios is complex and involves issues such as lack of preventative care, malnutrition, poverty, and lack of resources, that together contribute to the increased incidence and poor outcomes in sepsis. The concept of integrated management of childhood illness that involves the community, family and health systems is an important way that has been proposed for reduce children mortality and morbidity in developing nations and should be applied in sepsis initiatives. Sepsis and septic shock are observed time-sensitive, early diagnosis and prompt treatment have been related to good outcome. Actions such as prevention sound public health policies, educational programs for health care providers, family and community may help to reduce the global burden of this disease in children.