Key points about sepsis in children & young people
- sepsis is the body’s extreme reaction to an infection
- it is very serious and can become life-threatening quickly
- any child or young person with sepsis needs urgent hospital care
- early diagnosis and treatment gives tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people) the best chance of recovering well
- trust your instincts and get help urgently if your child seems very unwell
What is sepsis?
Sepsis happens when the immune system overreacts to an infection. The body’s response becomes harmful and starts to damage tissues and organs. Without quick treatment, this can be life-threatening.
Causes of sepsis in children & young people
Any infection can turn into sepsis. Most tamariki recover well from infections. In some situations, the body’s response to an infection becomes dangerous and leads to sepsis.
Who can get sepsis?
Anyone can get sepsis but some tamariki are at higher risk, including:
- pēpi (babies) under 12 months
- tamariki with chronic medical conditions
- tamariki with a weakened immune system
- tamariki who have had sepsis before
Symptoms of sepsis in children & young people
Sepsis often starts with the same symptoms as common infections like a cold. These include:
- fever
- muscle aches
- tiredness (fatigue)
- being generally unwell
Because symptoms can look like common illnesses at first, it’s important to notice if your child:
- is not getting better
- is suddenly getting worse
- seems ‘not themselves’
- shows symptoms that feel different from other illnesses
Some pēpi (babies), tamariki, and rangatahi may be sicker than they have ever been before. They may have symptoms of a severe illness, such as:
- breathing very fast or having difficulty breathing
- severe pain without an obvious cause
- blotchy, pale, or discoloured skin
- a rash that does not fade when you press on it
- confusion, drowsiness, or being hard to wake
- seizures
- feeling unusually cold or having a high fever
- feeding poorly or refusing feeds
- floppiness
- irritability or being hard to comfort
- crying in a weak or unusual way
- disturbed thoughts or feelings
When to get medical help
Sepsis is a medical emergency. Call 111 straight away if you think your child might have sepsis.
Trust your instincts. You know your child best. If you feel your child is very unwell, do not wait. If you are unsure but worried, go to your nearest emergency department.
Ask the health professional who is seeing your child:
“Could it be sepsis?”
Symptoms of sepsis can develop over time. Even if your child has already seen a health professional, take them back if:
- they are not getting better
- they are getting worse
- you are worried
Diagnosing sepsis in children & young people
Health professionals diagnose sepsis by asking about symptoms and examining your child. They will also do tests. These tests help show where the infection is and how it is affecting your child. Tests may include:
- blood tests
- urine tests
- an x-ray or a scan
Some results can take time to come back. If the health professional thinks your child has sepsis, they will start treatment straight away. This may happen before all the test results are back.
Diagnosing and treating sepsis early gives tamariki the best chance of recovering well.
Managing sepsis in children & young people
Tamariki with sepsis need hospital care. This may be in a children’s ward or sometimes in an intensive care unit (ICU).
Treatment depends on what caused the infection and how unwell your child is. The hospital team will treat the infection and the body’s response to it. Treatment for sepsis usually includes:
- antibiotics into a vein
- fluids through an IV line to keep blood pressure stable
- oxygen or help with breathing if needed
- close monitoring of the heart, blood pressure, and oxygen levels
If health professionals cannot place an IV line in your child's vein, they may use a needle into a bone. They can use this to give medicine urgently.
If your child has a pocket of infection (abscess), they may need surgery to drain or remove it.
Starting treatment early gives tamariki the best chance of recovering well.
What to expect after your child has had sepsis
The after effects of sepsis can vary. Recovery can take time. Some tamariki and rangatahi will get completely better. But, some may have ongoing health issues.
After going home from hospital, some tamariki and rangatahi may:
- feel weak or more tired than usual
- take longer to return to school, sport, or normal activities
- have trouble sleeping
- have mood changes
Your child’s healthcare team will talk with you about any follow-up appointments. If your child was in intensive care, they may need ongoing support for their recovery.
Some tamariki and rangatahi can develop longer-term effects after having sepsis. For more information about longer-term effects, see the page about recovering from sepsis.
Recovering From Sepsis In Children & Young People
Getting support
Having a child with sepsis can be frightening and stressful for parents and whānau. It’s normal to feel worried even after your child has come home from hospital.
You might find it helpful to:
- talk with your child’s health professionals about any concerns
- ask about follow-up appointments and what signs to look for at home
- reach out to friends, whānau, or community groups for support
- look after your own wellbeing by resting when you can
- seek support if you feel overwhelmed
If you continue to feel anxious or find it hard to cope, talk with your health professional. Support is available for you and your child.
Visit the Sepsis Trust NZ website for information, resources and support. They run online support group meetings for anyone affected by sepsis.
The Australian Sepsis Network website has trusted information about sepsis and recovery. You can find fact sheets, stories, and resources for people who have experienced sepsis and for their whānau.
This website shares information and personal stories about life after critical illness. It offers practical advice and support for people recovering from time in intensive care and for families supporting them.
Yellow Brick Road provides mental health support for families and whānau. They offer free information, resources, and peer support to help parents and caregivers when a loved one is recovering from illness or facing mental health challenges.
Reducing the risk of sepsis in children & young people
Vaccination in childhood helps protect against many infections that can cause sepsis. This includes bacteria such as pneumococcus and meningococcus and viruses like influenza.
