Dr. Susan Roberts: Eyes of Sepsis: A National Campaign for Early Sepsis Recognition
Dr. Susan Roberts: Eyes of Sepsis: A National Campaign for Early Sepsis Recognition
Sepsis is the body’s overwhelming reaction to infection. In children, it can move fast and look very different from that in adults.
Key Warning Signs: Breathing faster than usual, Extreme sleepiness or hard to wake, suddenly not eating or drinking, Vomiting or diarrhea that doesn’t stop, peeing less / no wet diaper in 8–12 hours.
Cold hands/feet, pale or blotchy skin. Seizures or sudden confusion.
No fever: Infants and immunocompromised children may not exhibit a fever. Parent intuition: “Something’s wrong” is often the first red flag.
Underlying risks: cancer, central lines, chronic Foley catheters, congenital conditions
shunts, orthopedic surgery, drains, and recent transfusions.
Skin clues: severe diaper rash, new bruises, spreading redness.
Vitals: Tachycardia is often dismissed, while hypotension is a late sign. Parent Analogy
A house can look on the outside, but smoke sneaks through the cracks. That’s how sepsis hides in kids. If you smell smoke (warning signs), don’t wait for flames; call for help.
The Silent Clock; Adults often exhibit the ticking clock of sepsis early, while children may not. The “silent clock” clinicians must monitor signs of alarm, such as parental concern, tachypnea, apnea, or skin changes; they do not wait for hypotension to occur.
For Kids Whimsky Works SkinCare Patrol™: What Happens When Your Body Fights Germs? Your body has little helpers (like Scoot the Bear and Ms. Pinky) that fight off germs. Usually, they keep you safe, but sometimes they get too noisy and make things worse. That’s called sepsis.
Your body’s whistle is supposed to help, but if it blows too loudly, it hurts instead of helping.
Your body is a juice box. The straw carries juice (blood) to every part of you. If germs spill, the straw can get blocked. Your body feels thirsty even when juice is inside.
When too many helpers rush to clean up a spill on the playground, they bump into each other, making a bigger mess.
Sometimes the kernels pop too fast and too hard, and that’s when you need a grown-up to take the bag out before it burns.
Activities & conversation starters.
Scoot the Bear Keeps Peace When Helpers Fight Too Hard. Ms. Pinky the Nurse reminds kids to tell a grown-up if something doesn’t feel right, as Ms. Chelsea Turtle does. Soara the Eagle soars high to see danger early.
Kid Takeaway: “If your body feels strange, too tired, or hurts in a new way, whisper to your grown-up right away. Even a small whisper can be the loudest help.
Final Call to Action: Parents, don’t wait for a fever; sepsis hides in silence. Clinicians: Hold the silent clock accountable and act on the first sign. Kids: Speaking up makes you a hero.
